Reuse/Recycle Clothes & Linens

Reuse/Recycle Clothes & Linens

It takes a lot of water to produce the food we eat, the energy we use and all the things that we buy. Use our water saving tips below to reduce your water use by reusing and recycling clothing and linens. You’ll find lots of ways to shrink your water footprint.

Stop and ask yourself whether or not you really need that new piece of clothing.

If you do really need that new top, consider thrift stores for a wardrobe update. Thrift is in! And you can often find really great items at your local thrift store for a lot less than you’d pay for new.

Learn more about thrift store shopping.

Sell the clothes you’re ready to part with on eBay or at a consignment shop. If that’s too involved, donate them to a charity like Goodwill, Salvation Army or Dress for Success.

Have a clothing swap with friends/co-workers/social networks and donate the leftover goods to a charity.

Need to buy new clothes? Choose organic cotton. Most cotton is grown in arid locations and with heavy pesticide use. It takes 1,320 gallons of water to produce one pound of cotton, so you can significantly lower your water footprint by shopping less.

If you’re in the mood for some shopping therapy, change the way you think. It might feel good to purchase new things for your house, but all the “stuff” we use in and around our house (that goes for everything from electronics to kitchen products to décor) takes a lot of water to make. Think about skipping the shopping therapy and take a walk in nature instead.

Care for your clothes properly, and your clothes will last for a long time. It takes a lot of water to make clothing, regardless of what kind of the fabric. Taking proper care of your clothes will lessen how many new pieces you need to buy.

Buy for quality not quantity. Classic clothing is always on trend and quality pieces will last a long time when properly cared for. For that matter, why not choose retailers and manufacturers who make a point of improving their water and carbon footprints to increase their sustainability?