Metro 麻豆传媒映画is encouraging residents to 鈥渢hink thrice鈥� before tossing that ugly blouse, ripped jeans or socks with holes into the garbage.
Most unwanted clothing items can be repurposed, donated or repaired, reducing the amount of waste in the region.
鈥淐lothing is never garbage, because textile materials are durable and have a long useful life,鈥� said Jack Froese, chair of Metro Vancouver鈥檚 zero waste committee. 鈥淭here's a range of options to donate clothing. Many thrift stores or second-hand retailers offer a pick-up service from your home and accept donations in-store. Metro 麻豆传媒映画transfer stations also offer donation bins.鈥�
Metro 麻豆传媒映画residents collectively throw out an average of 44 million pounds of textiles each year, equating to the weight of 44 T-shirts per person.聽 New public opinion research conducted by Metro 麻豆传媒映画suggests people are likely to donate clothing they no longer need, but approximately 40 per cent of respondents were unclear what can or can鈥檛 be donated.
Metro Vancouver, through its website , hopes to help residents with this conundrum, noting the message from second- hand clothing retailers is that they will accept almost anything.
鈥淭he main thing is that the clothing you are donating should be clean, dry and packed in a box or bag,鈥� adds Froese. 鈥淢ouldy, paint-stained or oil-covered clothes can be difficult to re-use but clothes with holes or a single shoe can still be repurposed for a new and longer life.鈥�
Those who aren鈥檛 quite ready to part with a well-loved item, and are keen to repair their damaged clothing 鈥� as reported by more than 61 per cent of women and 49 per cent of men in the survey 鈥� can find tips on DIY clothing repair and alterations聽at . 聽
Metro 麻豆传媒映画has also partnered with , a local non-profit organization that facilitates clothing swaps and free clothing 鈥渇ix-it鈥� events that focus on teaching practical clothing repair skills.
Upcoming event dates include:
Archive Consignment Pop-up鈥� Feb. 28 and March 1, Chinese Cultural Centre, Vancouver
Birth Fair鈥� March 7 to 8, Coast Langley Hotel
Richmond Repair Fair 鈥� March 14, Richmond City Hall
Those who attend will be provided with a small DIY mending kit to assist with their own聽clothing repairs.
Textile waste is one of the fastest-growing categories of waste, currently accounting for five percent of the annual total garbage produced each year in the region. The 鈥楾hink Thrice About Your Clothes鈥� campaign at provides information on everything from how to make alterations to existing wardrobe items, to stain removal and clothing rental services. The website also includes valuable tips for buying second-hand clothing, which is a great way to find unique items while reducing textile waste.
