Where exactly do old clothes go after they are collected for recycling? The Beluga Whale platform has sorted out the main ways old clothes are currently handled, including four major categories: secondhand sales, charitable donation, export trade, and regeneration. Data shows that more than 80% of old clothes that are as good as new can be exported to South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and other regions after strict sorting and packaging, while clothes that can no longer be worn are made into products such as recycled cotton and greenhouse insulation cotton through processes including opening and spinning.

Key Points

  • After old clothes are recycled, there are mainly four destinations: secondhand sales, donation, export, and regeneration
  • Exported old clothes must be more than 80% as good as new, and mainly flow to South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia
  • Old clothes no longer suitable for wearing are made into recycled cotton, automotive soundproof cotton, and other products through processes such as opening and spinning

Diversification of Recycling Channels
At present, old clothes recycling channels are already quite extensive. Offline channels include community recycling bins, Red Cross clothing donation activities, and public welfare activities organized by individuals or institutions, while online channels include various recycling platforms and individual waste recycling. Different channels handle clothes differently. If some recycled clothes are in relatively good condition, they directly enter the secondhand sales stage after disinfection. However, it is unrealistic for all recycled clothes to be sold secondhand — the requirements for style and newness are relatively high, and refurbishing costs are high, often making it less worthwhile than directly producing new clothes.

Export and Regeneration: The Two Major Destinations of Old Clothes
Export is an important destination for old clothes. Clothes that are more than 80% as good as new are exported to South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and other regions after strict sorting and packaging to help meet local clothing needs. Old clothes that can no longer be worn enter the regeneration channel, where they are classified by color and material and converted through a series of processes such as opening and spinning into recycled products including recycled cotton, recycled yarn, greenhouse insulation cotton, automotive soundproof cotton, labor protection gloves, eco-friendly bags, and carpets.

The Value and Hidden Concerns of Donation
Donation is the preferred choice for most people when handling old clothes. If there is a formal and reliable donation channel, giving old clothes to people in need is an ideal solution. But it is important to be vigilant: some organizations seek profit under the name of public welfare, and this improper use instead discourages people who truly want to participate in charitable causes. Beluga Whale stated that its charitable donation channel is available for the public to learn about, and emphasized that old clothes recycling has the dual significance of environmental protection and public welfare.

The destination paths of old clothes recycling are now relatively clear, but for consumers who want to participate in recycling, choosing a recycling platform with a transparent handling process is especially important. This not only affects whether old clothes can be put to full use, but also influences the standardized development of the entire recycling chain.

Source: How Are Old Clothes Handled After Recycling? Where Old Clothes Go After Recycling · Originally published on 2023-04-28