Consumer Textile Recycling as a Means of Solid Waste Reduction

Consumer recycling of traditional commodities such as glass, paper, plastic, and tin is well established in many communities. However, to continue to reduce the amount of solid waste that is annually diverted to landfills, recycling must be extended to include a greater diversity of postconsumer waste products. This exploratory study examines consumer practices regarding the disposal of postconsumer textile waste. Responses to a mailed questionnaire indicated use of a variety of textile disposal methods. The most commonly used methods of textile disposition were Salvation Army, passing on to family and friends, and using as rags. Furthermore, convenience and familiarity with the disposal method influenced which methods were chosen for textile recycling. Findings lend support to the idea that textiles can become a viable commodity for recycling as ease and opportunity for textile recycling increase.