Dear Eartha, I am cleaning out my closet for a wardrobe refresh and want to make more conscious choices moving forward. What do you recommend?
A closet clean-out can feel like a fresh start — but it also brings up an uncomfortable question: what’s the most responsible way to deal with all these clothes? Fast fashion and overconsumption have made clothing one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the United States, yet much of what’s discarded still has value. The United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion reported that the fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water and is responsible for 2-8 percent of global carbon emissions.
The good news is that making more conscious wardrobe choices doesn’t require perfection, expensive brands, or giving up personal style. It’s about slowing down, using what you already have, and keeping clothing in circulation for as long as possible. As you sort through your closet, here’s a simple framework to follow: Repair what you can, donate thoughtfully, repurpose or responsibly dispose of what’s truly worn out, and make mindful choices when purchasing new items.
Repair before you replace
Before tossing an item, ask yourself: Could this be fixed? Many clothing issues are surprisingly easy to repair. Simple DIY fixes like sewing on buttons, patching small holes, or hemming items that don’t quite fit can extend the life of clothing for years. There are plenty of free online tutorials for beginners.
Extending the life of clothing is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental footprint of fashion.
Donate thoughtfully
If you come across items you no longer wear but are still in good condition, donating locally is the best option.
Clothing should be clean, dry, and fully functional. Items with major rips, broken zippers, or heavy stains are difficult for donation centers to resell and can end up creating extra work or disposal costs. Ask yourself: Would I feel good giving this to a friend? If the answer is no, it likely doesn’t belong in a donation bin.
Summit County hosts several great thrift shops including ReSaddled Thrift Store, Frisco Thrift and Treasure, and the Funky Trunk Boutique. Please contact the stores for details on what they are currently accepting before dropping any items off. Additionally, the Summit County Resource Allocation Park accepts drop-offs of clothes, footwear, accessories, and household linens that are in reusable condition. Items go in the USAgain bin in the new Recycling Center. Make sure you stop by the Scalehouse to let staff know what you have.
Thoughtful donations ensure your clothing continues to serve a purpose rather than become waste.
Responsibly dispose of unfixable clothes
What happens if items are beyond repair? Here are some options:
· Reuse at home: Cut old cotton shirts into cleaning rags, use socks for dusting, or save fabric scraps for craft projects.
· Textile recycling helps recover fibers and reduces the amount of material sent to the landfill. While this is not available in Summit County, companies like Ridwell allow you to mail-in hard-to-recycle materials including clothing.
Landfill disposal should always be the last resort.
Build and maintain a more mindful wardrobe moving forward
Now that your closet is cleaned out, it’s a great time to reset your habits. Before shopping, consider need versus want, and how and when you’ll wear an item.
Shopping secondhand in-store and online can significantly lower your environmental impact. In addition caring for clothing properly helps it last longer. Washing less frequently, using cold water, and air-drying when possible all reduce wear and tear while saving energy.
Another simple shift is buying less, but better. Consider natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, bamboo, hemp, and recycled fibers when purchasing new items.
A conscious closet isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating a wardrobe and making decisioms that align with your values. By repairing, donating responsibly, and disposing of textiles properly you are helping to reduce waste in our mountain community.
Ask Eartha Steward is written by the staff at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation. Submit questions to Eartha at info@highcountryconservation.org
