Metro Vancouver is encouraging residents to 鈥渢hink thrice鈥� before tossing that ugly blouse, ripped jeans, or socks with holes into the garbage.
Most unwanted clothing items can be repurposed, donated, or repaired 鈥� reducing the amount of waste in the region.
Clothing is never garbage, because textile materials are durable and have a long useful life, said Jack Froese, chair of Metro Vancouver鈥檚 Zero Waste Committee.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a range of options to donate clothing. Many thrift stores or second-hand retailers offer a pick up service from your home and accept donations in-store. Metro Vancouver transfer stations also offer donation bins,鈥� Froese explained.
According to the committee, Metro Vancouver residents collectively throw out an average of 44 million pounds of textiles each year, equating to the weight of 44 t-shirts per person.
New public opinion research conducted by Metro Vancouver suggests people are likely to donate clothing they no longer need, but approximately 40 per cent of respondents were unclear what can or can鈥檛 be donated.
Metro Vancouver, through its website , hopes to help residents with this conundrum, noting the message from second- hand clothing retailers is that they will accept almost anything.
鈥淭he main thing is that the clothing you are donating should be clean, dry and packed in a box or bag,鈥� added Froese. 鈥淢ouldy, paint-stained or oil-covered clothes can be difficult to re-use but clothes with holes or a single shoe can still be repurposed for a new and longer life.鈥�
READ MORE: 鈥楿nloved鈥� textiles get a second life through recycling program
Those who aren鈥檛 quite ready to part with a well-loved item, and are keen to repair their damaged clothing 鈥� as reported by more than 61% of women and 49% of men in the survey 鈥� can find tips on DIY clothing repair and alterations at .
Metro Vancouver has also partnered with Frameworq, a local non-profit organization that facilitates clothing swaps and free clothing 鈥渇ix-it鈥� events that focus on teaching practical clothing repair skills.
Upcoming event dates include:
Archive Consignment Pop-up on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver.
Birth Fair, March 7 to 8, at the Coast 91原创 Hotel.
Richmond Repair Fair, March 14, at Richmond City Hall.
Those who attend will be provided with a small DIY mending kit to assist with their own clothing repairs.
Find out more about the events at .
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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