What Happens to Clothing When You Compost It?

Contrary to popular belief, composting clothing is not as straightforward as composting food or other organic waste. While natural fiber clothes, like 100% cotton, might seem like they would naturally biodegrade, that's not always the case.

Most clothing is treated with various chemicals and dyes, which can hinder the composting process. These chemicals can linger in the soil and potentially harm the environment.

Additionally, even if the clothing is made from natural fibers, it may contain non-biodegradable components such as buttons, zippers, or synthetic threads. These components do not break down during the composting process and can contaminate the compost.

To ensure proper composting, it's best to stick to composting food waste, yard trimmings, and other organic materials, rather than clothing.

Sustainable Options for Disposing of Clothing

Instead of composting clothing, there are more sustainable options for disposing of old clothes.

Donating clothing to charity or thrift stores is a great way to give your clothes a second life and support a good cause. Many organizations accept gently used clothing and distribute it to those in need.

Another option is to upcycle your old clothes. Get creative and turn them into something new and useful. You can repurpose old t-shirts into tote bags or use fabric from old dresses to make cushion covers.

If your clothing is no longer wearable or suitable for donation or upcycling, check if there are clothing recycling programs in your area. These programs collect old clothes and either recycle them into new textiles or repurpose them for other uses.

By choosing these sustainable options, you can reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills and contribute to a more circular fashion economy.