How Long do Clothes Rot in Landfills? Part 1
Dip your toe into getting to know your fabrics!
Welcome to our newest weekly dive: Waste Wednesday!
In preparation for our 2nd Circular Fashion Playground we’re exploring WASTE!
Reclypt’s Circular Fashion Playground is meant to help you start or grow your circular journey. We know you’ll walk away from the playground with a better idea of what works for you!
No matter where you are on your circular journey (especially if you haven’t started yet) all are welcome! April 13th from 12-5:30p at Project Farmhouse (Union Sq.)
So let’s get into it: Textile Decomposition
In our last installment of Waste Wednesday we explored why textiles in landfill are bad. To summarize: toxic emissions, soil contamination, water pollution, social implications, and decomposition.
This week we’re taking a look at how long textiles* are in landfills.
*Majority is discarded clothing, but others include: linens, deadstock fabric, towels, carpets, & shoes.
Let’s start with the textiles that make our clothes.
Textiles are sourced from plants, animals, oils, and chemicals. For part 1 we’re generalizing to begin understanding the nuances of sustainable, circular, and fast fashion that can discourage even the best of us. BUT, we got you! As with all Reclypt content, we encourage our community to consume this info with critical thinking in mind.
1. Oil & Chemicals are the most common source of our textiles.
These are called SYNTHETICS; they account for approximately over 60% of fibers in the fashion industry, and are sources from crude oil.
They include mainly polyester, but also nylon, acrylic, polypropylene and elastane.
Polyester
Over 50% of all textiles
Not biodegradable
up to 200 years to decompose*
*Never fully decomposes
Microplastics’ best friend
Doesn’t breathe
2. Plants are the second most common source of our textiles.
These are referred to as NATRUAL; they account for approximately 1/3 of fibers in the fashion industry, and are sources from plants.
They include mainly cotton, but also linen and hemp.
*Rayon also comes from plants but takes a sharp turn into synthetics as it’s process is a lengthy one involving chemicals.
Cotton
About 24% of all textiles
entirely biodegradable
when not blended with synthetics
up to 5 months to decompose
Approx. 350 million people globally are involved in its cultivation and processing
3. Animals-derived are the least common source of our textiles.
Also referred to as NATRUAL; they account for approximately 3% of fibers in the fashion industry, and are sources from animals.
They include leather, silk, and wool.
Animal-Derived
About 3% of all textiles
Biodegradable & decomposes faster than synthetic fibers
Up to 2 - 50 years
Ethical production is scarce
Circular Fashion looks different on everyone.
Understanding what’s going into the clothes we put on our body is one step towards growing your circular journey. Having a sustainable wardrobe is not a one size fits all journey. It’s a lifetime of exploring, learning, making mistakes, and sharing. At Reclypt we know it’s easier (& more fun) with community! We’re excited you’re here with us and hope you’ll share with others you think may be interested.
Encouraging a shift towards a Circular Economy can help minimize the impact of textile decomposition.
If you want to start or grow your circular journey, especially with fashion, consider joining our events and/or memberships!
SOURCES:
I love this so much! Well done, Reclypt - can't wait for more :)