For Planet

Millions of pounds of textiles are tossed into landfills across the United States each year. 

In our "disposable" society, almost-new clothes are thrown into the garbage without a second glance. We hope to provide people with a convenient option to part with their unwanted textiles, instead of letting them fill up valuable space on our Earth.

By re-wearing and reusing clothes we save precious natural resources, reduce pollution and prevent the emission of climate changing greenhouse gases. The raw material production and manufacturing of new clothes is a resource and energy intensive process. So every item of clothing saved is a big benefit for the planet.

It takes 700 gallons of water to grow the cotton to produce just one T-shirt. Conventionally grown cotton, one of the most popular clothing fibers, is also one of the most water- and pesticide-dependent crops.

The manufacturing of polyester and other synthetic fibers is an energy intensive process using large quantities of crude oil as the raw material, and releasing emissions including volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and acid gases such as hydrogen chloride. The EPA, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, considers many textile-manufacturing facilities to be hazardous waste generators.

Every pound of clothing that is re-worn and replaces the manufacturing of new clothing saves seven pounds of greenhouse gases. Compared with many of the materials that are commonly collected for reuse and recycling, the benefits are far greater with clothing.

At USAgain, we're working tirelessly to encourage people, cities, businesses, schools and churches to spread the word about the benefits of textile re-wear, reuse and recycling.

To learn more about how products affect the environment, and the concept of the product lifecycle, check out this great video called The Story of Stuff.

Conserving Resources  |  Reducing Pollution  |  Preventing CO² Emissions