Repurpose Your Wardrobe When Spring Cleaning in Your Closet

It’s time to move sweaters and jackets to the back of the closet and put tanks and short-sleeved shirts near the front.

In doing so, you’ll probably take the time to rid your closet of things that don’t fit, are off trend or maybe look worn out. Did you know that 85% of Americans throw away their unwanted clothing instead of donating it? Donating your apparel helps you, it helps others and it helps our planet!

Since almost everything can be repurposed in some way, be a friend to the environment and keep your old outfits out of landfills. Remember this when clearing out your closet this spring:

• About 3 to 4 pounds of CO₂ are saved for every pound of clothing that is NOT tossed.
  
  
• Approximately 0.02 pounds of pesticides are used to produce one pound of new clothes.
  
  
• According to the World Bank, 17-20% of industrial water pollution is due to textile dyeing and treatment.
  
  
• When it comes to fabric production, one T-shirt requires about 700 gallons of fresh water.
  
  
• Donating large quantities, like 12 prom dresses, to one charity can have a big impact for that organization.
  
  
• Leather takes 50 years to decompose, nylon fabric takes 30 to 40 years and rubber shoe soles take 50 to 80 years.