This video, at half an hour, is longer than what I usually post; but I’m asking you to watch it because it reveals a critical problem that I wasn’t even aware of until recently: Western consumerism is literally choking the world. Please watch this, and then add your thoughts to the comments below. What can we do to lessen the problem of discarded clothing?
Dec2
ARHtistic License 
I always thought I was doing a good thing when I gave my no-longer-wanted clothing to Goodwill. But a few years ago I found out that only 10% of their donated clothing actually makes it into the store. The rest goes out again, some to be made into shop rags, some baled up to be sold cheaply overseas. I still thought that was good, but now I understand that much of it is of such poor quality that even the destitute don’t want it.
So what do we do?
The first step is not to buy clothes or other possessions just for the purpose of having more. We should only buy what we need. When possible, we should see if we can buy used instead of new. When we are done with items, we should think if we know someone who can personally use it, and ask them if they want it.
If we want to give away used clothing, they should be made into as-new-as-possible condition. Washed, stains removed, mended, ironed.
If we can reuse something in a different form, don’t donate it or discard it, but use it. For example, I have decided to reuse any appropriate material in quilts. That used to be the practice of quilters years ago.
More ideas? Please share in the comments below.
LikeLike
Wow. This was very eye-opening, thanks for sharing. I usually buy second-hand everything, but I can see that much more needs to be done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I applaud you for seeking out pre-owned stuff. Back in the day, my friends and I were avid garage sale shoppers, especially for home furnishings and baby clothes.
LikeLike
Reusing and remaking used to be the norm, and it will come back out of necessity I think. We are well on our way to a very different world, 😕. Printing billions of paper currency is about to catch up with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right about reusing and remaking. Our consumer society trains us to want the newest, and discard what’s “outdated.” Only the oldest repair technicians actually fix stuff; most just replace parts.
LikeLiked by 1 person