Textile waste may be a term with which you are unfamiliar. However, the world is becoming more aware of the impact that our clothing is having on the environment. Because of this, we are finding ways to upcycle and recycle textiles so that we can love our world a little better. We wanted to give you some information about textile waste and tell you about one of our amazing artisan partners that is doing their part to reduce textile waste!

It is estimated that 17 million tons of textile waste is created globally every year. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, only 14.7% of those textiles were recycled in 2018 which means that the remaining 85.3% went to landfills. Unfortunately, one of the biggest contributors to this textile waste problem is fast fashion. Fast fashion is a design, manufacturing, and marketing method that focuses on rapidly producing high volumes of clothing. This type of production utilizes trend replication and low-quality materials in order to bring inexpensive styles to the public. However, these cheaply made, “on-trend” items have resulted in harmful impacts on the environment, garment workers, and, ultimately, consumers.

One of the main focuses of Travel Patterns is sustainability; not just economically but also environmentally. This is why we partnered with Rags2Riches (R2R), our artisan partners in the Philippines. R2R takes thousands of pounds of fashion waste every year and turns it into clothing, bags, and the Travel Patterns Collection of home goods and travel accessories. With much of the world’s textile waste being created in Asia, we are so thankful for the ways that R2R is upcycling, recycling, and repurposing what would traditionally end up in landfills.

To shop Rags2Riches recycled products, click here. Also, don’t forget to visit our brick & mortar shop in Huntsville, AL for the full line of our pillows.

Below we have listed a few easy ways to limit your consumption of fast fashion and to slow your production of textile waste:

Do your research before shopping

It is really easy to shop from the big box company that produces new items every month, however, they could be contributing to a large percentage of fashion waste. It doesn’t take much digging on the internet to look to see the social sustainability of a company. Now, there are so many brands that are expanding into the sustainable fashion industry and we could not be happier!

Shop Second Hand

If you are beginning the process of eliminating fast fashion, it can be a daunting task. We often hear people say that they can’t afford to shop with an ethical/sustainable company because the prices are out of their budget. While this is definitely understandable, there are other options available! When was the last time you searched your local thrift store for an amazing find? Or have you tried a website like ThredUp or Poshmark? Shopping sustainably doesn’t have to cost you more than what you are already spending if you know the right places to look. Also, turn your unused clothing into cash by finding consignment stores in your area or by hosting a yard sale or clothing swap with a group of friends!

Recycle and Donate

Instead of tossing your mismatched socks or clothing that is worn out, try to find a company that will recycle them for you. Did you know that retailers like H&M, Madewell, and The North Face make textile recycling as easy as a trip to the mall by offering in-store recycling containers. You can also go to the Council of Textile Recycling’s website to find a recycling facility near you. If you have any gently used clothing you no longer need, consider dropping a bag off at your local thrift store. Often these thrift stores are not just selling the items but also contributing to the community so not only will you be helping the environment but also your city!

We hope that after reading this you are feeling more informed about textile waste and equipped and encouraged to take your own steps towards sustainability.

Take Heart. Take Flight.

-Travel Patterns Team