A New Journey of Used Clothes
how to deal with used clothes
Donating is not the only way to get rid of old clothes
Used clothes “Bonanza.”
Exporting is one of the best ways to get rid of old clothes
conclusion
How to deal with used clothes
A New Journey of Used Clothes. Eric Rubin, chairman of the US Textile Recycling Council (CTR), once said: “Clothes are the most recyclable items in our own houses.” However, the Chinese market with an annual output value of 1.3 trillion yuan in the apparel industry faces a big problem in used clothes recycling. How to recycle? Who will recycle? At present, China still lacks a complete and mature industrial chain for recycling Used clothes.
In Guangzhou, a second hand clothing company named Zagumi started recycling used clothes a few years ago. Still, companies like Zagumi are far away from the root of “fashion trash”-ordinary consumers. So, by entering this industry chain, fast fashion brands with colossal market appeal may help to complement the weakest link in the used clothes recycling industry chain.
Donating is not the only way to get rid of old clothes
The past concept took charity and donation as the primary use of used clothes recycling. In fact, this is a misunderstanding. From the entire international situation, the donation can only dispose of 15% of used clothes.
The improvement of material life has increased the frequency of people buying clothes and the natural elimination of old clothes. But civil affairs departments and charitable organizations usually need winter clothing only, such as down jackets, coats, quilted jackets, and overcoats that can keep warm. The traditional poverty alleviation habit considers light dresses with a higher elimination rate unnecessary because they do not help keep warm. Charity is not about making people look good.
Environmental pollution
Many abandoned used clothes eventually enter the landfills, which increases the burden on the environment. In comparison, some are used as fuel in the brick kiln and other burning yards, which pollute the environment. “People demand fabrics with bright colors and excellent air permeability. Single fibers are used less and less and only accounted for 10%. Nearly 90% of clothes are made of blended fibers.”
The Shanghai World Expo
During the Shanghai World Expo, Shanghai faced tremendous environmental pressure. Since the 1980s, Shanghai’s domestic waste has been mainly stacked up in the Leogang area, east of Pudong New Area, very close to Pudong International Airport. Residents living in an area of 25 kilometers can smell the aftertaste of garbage. Research and classification by relevant departments found that only used clothes alone accounted for between 3% and 4%.
Therefore, during the World Expo, Shanghai decided to start the Used clothes recycling project in Shanghai residential areas.
Used clothes “Bonanza.”
Zagumi a clothing wholesale company started to recycle Used clothes in Guangzhou’s communities and schools in 2011. Walk around in the residential areas of Guangzhou. You will find a few plump-iron “panda” recycling bins, the same height as a person. The panda’s head is the clothes-throwing port, and the bottom is the staff-picking port. Zagumi was established in 2015 with the approval of the Guangzhou Municipal Government. It is mainly engaged in the classification, sorting, and comprehensive utilization of waste Used clothes. A New Journey of Used Clothes
In addition to placing recycling bins in various communities in Guangzhou, Zagumi also opens appointments and door-to-door collection services. After receiving an appointment call from a resident, two consignors and a driver usually come together to weigh and pick up clothes.
Exporting is one of the best ways to get rid of old clothes
According to the common practice in China, worth wearing clothing can donate to people. Among the used clothes recycled every month, there are more than 10 tons of sweaters. Except for those that are intact and awaiting donation, about 40% will be disassembled and re-knitted.
They organized a group of aunts in the community to knit sweaters and then sent them to Hope Primary Schools in Shandong, Anhui, Guangxi, and other places in China. Most of the short-sleeved shirts and trousers that were worn in summer will be arranged and sent to Africa to help the local poor. “Those clothes have been selected, arranged, and disinfected. They are also decent to put on,” Zhang said.
A New Journey of Used Clothes
A New Journey of Used Clothes. For most of the used clothes that cannot be worn again, how to realize the recycling of resources is a more challenging topic. Zagumi classifies used clothes according to the surface material: wool, cotton, chemical fiber, blended fabric, leather, and rubber, about 70% of which can be recycled. The entire resource treatment process is carried out in Guangzhou.
Conclusion
In fact, recycling used clothes involving the second hand clothes usa wholesale industry has just begun in the United States. Some people say that “this is the first time in history.” The United States is trying to mobilize all sectors of the apparel industry and all links in the chain to recycle together, including consumers, manufacturers, retailers, charities, and recycling organizations. This is an ideal and gratifying recycling chain, recognizing used clothes as “resources” and no longer wasting these old-fashioned products.
