Not all take back programs are created equally! More brands are offering garment collection opportunities, either in-store or mail-back. Each program is designed, marketed, and operated differently. Read more to learn about what to look for in a brands takeback program to distinguish a good opportunity from greenwashing.
What is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing is when a company claims to make environmentally conscious efforts for marketing purposes but actually isn't making any notable actions. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1201 (AB 1201, Ting) and Senate Bill 343 (SB 343, Allen) into law on October, 2021, enacting new restrictions on environmental marketing claims made to California consumers for plastic packaging and compostable products, but no regulations prevent clothing brands from making recyclability claims for their products. Many textile collectors in this space call themselves recyclers, as they receive and sort textiles for end-markets. Very few markets exist for unusable, stained, textiles with blended fiber types.
Textile Recycling
Textile recycling is complicated as many fabrics have several blended fiber types and other design additives, such as closures and finishing chemicals, thereby deteriorating the recyclability of these products. Most recyclers do not accept materials directly from the public and work with collectors and sorters to ensure they are only getting the materials that work with their technology. Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and Palo Alto do not collect textiles in the recycling bin. The best option for textiles and clothing is to take them to an established collection site, such as the ones described below.
Take back options for usable clothes
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Host or participate in a clothing swap
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Thrift stores, charities, consignment shops, friends, and community groups
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Support brands with take-back programs that repair and resell what they collect, such as Carhartt, Patagonia, Northface, Toad & Co, Eileen FIsher, or any brand with a partnership with Renewal Workshop
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DO NOT: dump bags of garments at collection sites after hours, dump bags of garments at encampments, send usable clothes to companies claiming to recycle without sorting out the usable garments for resale and repair.
Take back options for UNUSABLE clothes
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Upcycle with a local artist or alteration company, or repurpose, such as a rag
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Call local thrifts to see if they sort for unusable garments for recycling, such as Salvation Army and Goodwill
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Find a mailback option that sorts unusable garments for recycling
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Contact your local and state elected officials to ask for support on active legislation to engage the industry to find textile recycling solutions.
Resources:
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California Industry Group Takes On Textile Waste - Sourcing Journal, 1/11/2022
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Why today's 'fast fashions' can be bad for the planet- Science News for Students, 12/10/20
- Brands Called On to See Discarded Clothes Find Second Home– Waste 360, 12/14/18
