How Much Donated Clothing Is Thrown Away? The Truth About Landfill Waste.
- Areliz Cavada
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
We’ve all been there: cleaning out our closets and dropping bags of clothes off at a donation center, feeling good about doing a good deed. But have you ever wondered what happens to that clothing? The truth is, a staggering amount of it doesn't find a new home.
The Sobering Reality of Donated Clothes
The idea that all donated clothes find a second life is a common misconception. In reality, a significant portion of donated textiles ends up in landfills. While it’s difficult to get an exact number, some estimates suggest that as much as 85% of all textiles are thrown away, and a large portion of this is donated clothing. The sheer volume of low-quality, fast fashion items means that charities and resellers simply can't process it all. This leads to a massive amount of donated clothing being thrown away.
So, what percentage of donated clothes end up in landfills? While exact figures vary, experts confirm it's a huge problem. Textiles can sit in landfills for centuries, releasing harmful greenhouse gases and chemicals. It's a key reason why how much of donated clothing thrown away is such a critical issue in the fight against climate change.
The Solution is Circularity, Not Just Donation
This isn't about shaming donors; it's about changing our approach. Instead of donating low-quality items, we should focus on extending their life. The best way to reduce textile waste isn't just to donate—it's to buy less and make what we have last longer.
Before you donate your clothes, consider these alternatives:
Repair: Fix that torn seam or replace a broken zipper.
Redesign: Give a new look to an old item with a quick dye or a simple alteration.
Pass to a friend: Hand down a quality item that you no longer need but is still in great condition.
Recycle: Look for textile recycling centers that can break down clothes into fibers for new products.
By shifting our focus from donation to circularity, we can help make a difference and help keep clothes out of the landfill. At Circular Fashion Los Angeles, we are dedicated to helping you achieve that. We recirculate, replenish, revive, repair, redye, and redesign your clothes to keep them in your wardrobe longer and out of the landfill.
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