Many people dread the idea of throwing away their undergarments due to the lack of eco-friendly ways to get rid of them. Since many people have started taking more conscious and responsible approaches to reduce their environmental footprints, simply throwing away undergarments is no longer a sustainable option. Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle means sticking to the three R’s: reducing, reusing, and recycling. Unfortunately, the average American ends up throwing away more than 60 lbs of recyclable trash per year due to the unavailability of recycling means. If you are searching for the best ways to get rid of your old undergarments, here are some effective ways you need to consider.
Compost
Undergarments that are made of natural fibers aren’t only good for your skin, but they can also be easily disposed of. If you want to also benefit your garden and the environment, you can compost underwear made of any natural fabrics, such as organic cotton, linen, and hemp. However, this option isn’t suitable for underwear that is made of synthetic fabrics, such as polyesters or Lycra. If they aren’t made of 100% natural fibers, they will not biodegrade. If only the band is made of polyester but the rest of the underwear is 100% cotton, you can remove the band and cut the undergarment into squares or strips before you put them in your compost bin.
Get Crafty
Reusing your old undergarments doesn’t have to be limited to cleaning cloths; there are different ways through which you can take advantage of your old pairs. Some ways are as simple as using them for stuffing your pillows to give them extra fluff while other ways may require some effort from your part. You can still make these projects fun by using your imagination and creativity to come up with new and unique ideas. For example, some people recycle their old bras into cute purses. If you are still fixated on the idea of using your old undergarments as cleaning rags, it’s important to ensure that they are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized first. Soft pairs make the best rags for polishing woods and cleaning mirrors, but only when they are perfectly clean.
Donate
There is no better feeling in the world than giving back. Take the time to go through your closet, and pick out the pairs that you don’t want, but make sure that they haven’t been worn more than once or twice. Before sending them out to bring joy to someone else, be sure to give them a good wash. If you don’t know where to send them, you can always find thrift shops that are willing to sell used undergarments if they are still in good shape. If you don’t want your act of kindness to be profited from, then you can choose a non-profit organization to make your donation. You can even donate your old bras to organizations that are dedicated to helping breast cancer survivors. This way, you will not only be helping the environment and taking a stand against the fast fashion industry, but you will also be helping people in need.
Recycle
The majority of the aforementioned ways focus on repurposing your old clothes. However, sometimes reusing isn’t possible, simply because of the poor condition of your clothes. For old, worn-out undergarments, the best option would be to recycle them. This might be the easiest option yet because all you have to do is search for a recycling center close to your house. There is no shortage of clothing recycling centers and companies in all states, so chances are, you will be able to find one close in your city. These centers usually recycle any articles of clothes and transform them for new purposes, such as making carpet pads, paper, yarn, or for insulation. If you can’t find a recycling company near you, you can donate your old pairs along with your wearable items to thrift stores. These stores usually recycle pairs that aren’t suitable enough to be resold.
Transitioning into a greener lifestyle doesn’t necessarily require big changes; you can simply start by properly disposing of your old or unwanted undergarments. This way, you will not only be reducing your ecological footprint and helping the environment, but you will also be helping other people make use of these articles of clothing instead of letting them go to waste.
