green-living-ideas

The First in a Series of Great Ideas: Recycling Your Old Clothes

In our Earth’s current state of Environmental affairs, the amount humans consume is making a big deal. The cycle of consumerism works like this: You work at your job, earning yourself money. You then have money to purchase items. You go to shops to spend your money on your new items. You either add your new items to your existing old items or toss out your old items, replacing them with new items. Pretty simple.

Now if you look at each step of the cycle a little closer, you can see how it makes an impact on the Earth. We are going to focus on the shopping aspect of the cycle today.

When you buy clothes, ask yourself questions-Where are your new clothes made and who made them? What are they made out of, chemical or natural fabrics? Are they full of dyes? Do you really need this? What do you do with your old clothes?

Your old clothes may be in good shape, and there are lots of way you can recycle them, with some scissors, a needle and thread (or sewing machine).

1. Turn old sweaters, raincoats, scarves, and jeans into cool purses and handbags.

2. Jeans can be turned into skirts.

3. Socks, gloves, and mittens can be turned into sock monkeys or puppets.

4. Repurpose an old dress into a new style of dress, a great top to wear with jeans, or a dress for a child or doll.

5. Hem a skirt into a shorter skirt, pull it up and add a belt to make a cool tube dress, make a vest or blouse from it, or turn it into a dress or skirt for a child.

6. Turn a man’s suit into a skirt for yourself, a little boy's or girl's suit, a jumper or a child's coat.

7. Coats can be shortened and hemmed to make a completely new style, or made into a child's coat or a funky two-piece dress for yourself.

8. You can turn a man’s shirt into a child's skirt or blouse or turn it into a painting smock for a child, or an apron.

You can also cut old clothes into pieces and use them to make useful things like:

• quilts
• cleaning cloths
• rugs
• cloth napkins
• pot holders
• make-up bags
• tablecloths
• pillows
• doll clothes
• stuffed animals for children.
• Your only limit is your imagination!

If you are not crafty, you can recycle your old clothes in other ways, too. You may no longer wear them, but there is ALWAYS someone out there who is in need.

1. Hold a clothing swap with your friends- invite friend to bring old clothes and meet at a predetermined location to trade and swap clothes with each other.

2. You can drop off bags of old clothes at your local Salvation Army or Good Will shop.

3. Check your local Yellowpages for shelters or food banks and ask them if they are currently in need. Sometimes Churches do clothing drives, as well.

4. You can also send them to adults and children in need in other countries. Many humanitarian organizations are looking for such donations to give to communities of needy families and children all over the world. One organization that could use such donations is the International Humanitarian Foundation. You can contact them through their website at http://www.ihfonline.org/ to see where and how you can send donations of clothing to locations all around the world.

The less waste you throw out in your garbage, the better, and clothing is one of the easiest things to recycle. Once you get started recycling your old clothes, you will feel a sense of accomplishment, both for being productive in your own right, as well as doing your part to help the Earth!

Thanks for Consuming Less, and stay tuned for my next Great Idea!

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