Textiles

We are seeing more textile waste than ever in our landfills. Learn why this is a problem and what you can do to reduce this waste. 

The Impact

We have a textile waste problem. Between 2017 and 2023, the volume of textile waste disposed in Nova Scotia landfills increased by over 100%, reaching over 58,000 tonnes per year. It’s not only a Nova Scotia problem either. Canadians, on average, purchase 70 new articles of clothing a year and throw out nearly 500 million kilograms (or about a billion pounds) of clothing and fabric-containing home goods every year. Globally, our total clothing disposal rate is equivalent to an entire garbage truck load per second.

When textiles are disposed of in landfills, the synthetic materials persist indefinitely. While natural fibres (cotton and linen) will decompose in a landfill, they release methane as they break down within the landfill. Textiles are also treated with dyes and chemicals that can leach into soil and water. 

Not only does textile waste take up significant space in our landfills, produce methane, and increase the risk of soil and water contamination, but the production of new clothing requires water, energy, and other resources. It’s been estimated that it takes 2,700 litres of water to make one new t-shirt.

What Can We Do? Think Circular!

There are several ways you can keep textiles our of landfills and in circulation for longer. Check out these four tips on how to reduce your textile waste.

1. Donate your old clothes

Donate your old clothing and textiles rather than throwing them in the garbage. Several charities across the province accept clothing and textiles. Some standard practices to keep in mind when donating textiles:

  • Package end-of-life items separately from rewearable items for easier sorting
  • Do not include non-textile items with your clothing donations
  • Wash your clothing donations
  • Do not leave items outside of donation bins to be exposed to inclement weather
  • Before taking your items to the charity of your choice, check with them to see if they accept all items or if they have any donation guidelines
Find a donation bin near you

2. Buy second-hand

When purchasing clothing and textiles, choose second-hand first! Thrifting and buying second-hand extends the life of our items and keeps them out of the landfill. Many thrift stores are run by charities or social enterprises, using proceeds from purchases to support programming in our communities. Organizing and attending community swaps are great ways to trade in your old clothing, upgrade your wardrobe, reduce textile waste, and contribute to your community. 

Watch the "Be Kind, Rewear" video with Charlotte Genge

3. Extend the life of your clothing

The easiest thing we can do is increase the average number of times our clothes are worn. By only washing what really needs to be washed, air-drying our laundry when possible, and spot-washing to extend time between washes, we can decrease the wear and tear on our clothing, and reduce the amount of microfibres entering our waterways. By learning a few simple techniques to fix minor rips and tears, sew buttons, patch holes, or repurpose items, we can extend the life of our textiles and reduce the need to buy new items.

Watch the Textile Fix-It video series with Candi Hauser

4. Pay attention to material type

If purchasing new clothing, consider items made from reused or sustainable materials. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon take hundreds of years to break down in landfills, contributing to long-term pollution. By opting for garments made from recycled fibers or natural, responsibly sourced materials, consumers can drive demand for sustainable textile production, making it more commonplace. 

Check out this guide on the most eco-friendly materials

For Teachers

Divert NS has textile-themed lesson plans available for free on our website for grades 4-8. You can also bring science educators to your classroom and book a "Fabric Footprint" workshop through the Discovery Centre's "Science on the Road" program. Through hands-on activities and class discussion, learners will explore the scope of textile waste in Nova Scotia. Learners will consider the impacts of textile production on climate change, the ocean and environment, the extent of textiles making it to the landfill,  and most importantly, the choices they can make to offset their fabric footprint.

Book a Fabric Footprint workshop through the Discovery Centre