Fortunately, in 2026, the topic of climate change is becoming increasingly relevant. It has been proven that the global textile industry has one of the greatest negative impacts on the planet, with its pollution considered greater than that of all airplanes and ships combined.
Large manufacturers invest enormous resources and energy in the production of each piece of clothing and footwear. As a result, every second a huge number of garments and shoes are "born" globally, and every second many of them end up in landfills.
We all know that it takes decades—and sometimes even hundreds of years—for textiles to fully decompose. Slowly degrading clothes poison the environment by releasing methane and carbon dioxide. The same thing happens to groundwater, which becomes contaminated with harmful compounds.
This is a problem we must all face together.
At LW Fashion, we have always advocated for moderate shopping when it comes to new clothes, as well as purchasing second-hand clothing.
If all this still sounds like a personal opinion and you're not sure whether to take it seriously, let us back it up with data:
📈 Textile waste. The numbers are truly shocking! It turns out that globally, around 92 million tons of clothing are thrown away each year. This number is expected to reach 134 million by 2030 (according to Earth.org).
Did you know that the average European throws away more than 11 kg of clothes per year? And no, that's not the most shocking part! The most alarming statistic is that only 1% of clothes in the EU are recycled into new textiles. You can probably guess what happens to the remaining 99%! The good news is that the EU has mandated that all member states implement separate textile collection systems.
🧠 What does this mean for consumers? It's expected that many more drop-off points for unwanted clothing will be created. To make it easier for consumers, many online stores and platforms now offer this option, which raises awareness and responsibility even further. This in turn increases our ability to reduce environmental impact.
Burn or Recycle Your Old Clothes?
We should never burn our clothes, as this releases harmful and highly toxic gases with devastating effects on the environment. Instead, we should turn to the best and most "green" alternative: recycling our clothing.
Recycling has many advantages, but let's start with the environmental benefits:
1. Recycling textiles saves one of our most valuable resources – wood and energy.
2. Recycling clothes reduces the need for chemical-based dyes.
3. Recycling decreases the amount of harmful gases in the environment.
4. And last but not least, recycling saves time.
How does the recycling process actually work?
The first option is simple and highly recommended: give your old clothes (if they are in good and wearable condition) to people in need or donate them to second-hand stores.
The second option is to leave your clothes (old and torn) in special machines you can find in the capital. Unfortunately, this network of machines is still underdeveloped in rural areas.
So once the clothes reach the so-called "machines" (as I call them), they are sent to specialized factories, where they are sorted and then shredded. The result is waste. Using high temperatures and pressure, fibers are extracted from the mass and used in the production of new products. Unusable parts are incinerated in special furnaces.
What happens to the recycled materials?
Recycled materials, if cotton-based, are used to make rags, which are directly utilized by tire shops, car service stations, cleaning companies, printing houses, and other businesses in need of absorbent materials.
Other recycled materials are used in the production of denim and other dense fabrics.
For example, clothes made of 100% polyester or nylon can be recycled back into polyester or nylon. To do this, the items are shredded, the resulting powder is re-polymerized under heat and pressure, and new fibers are extracted from the melt.
The same applies to footwear.
In short, nothing ends up in the landfill—which is exactly our goal.
Dear readers, once again we urge you not to throw your old clothes in the trash. Donate them, give them to someone close to you, or simply hand them over for recycling. You may not earn money from it, but you will contribute to a better future for your children.
Responsible clothing disposal starts with finding the nearest container. Choose whether to use your location or search by city:
Recycling clothes reduces textile waste, conserves resources, and supports sustainable fashion.
You can donate them, sell them, recycle them in specialized containers, or use them for new DIY projects at home. Thousands of useful ideas for you and the environment :)
In many cities, there are textile containers or stores that accept clothes for reuse – including popular brands.
Clothes in good condition, paired shoes, bags, and even household textiles like tablecloths and bed sheets.
If the item is intact, clean, and in good condition – donate it. If it's torn or worn out – recycle it.