By Flawless Magazine
As the new year arrives, it brings with it a wave of resolutions — and often, a major closet cleanse. The pressure to live more intentionally, embrace minimalism, or simply make space for new purchases leads many of us to fill bags with clothes we no longer wear. But once those garments leave our homes, where do they actually end up?
The Secondhand Circuit
Many well-intentioned consumers donate clothing to charities, hoping the pieces will find new homes. While some do, the volume of donations far outpaces demand. Charities are inundated with fast fashion items — cheaply made and poorly preserved — which they can neither sell nor reuse. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, only around 10% of donated clothes are resold locally.
The rest often enter the global secondhand trade, making their way to sorting facilities in Europe or North America before being shipped to markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, or Latin America. In countries like Ghana and Kenya, bales of used clothing — known as obroni wawu (literally “dead white man’s clothes”) — are sold in bulk. Some items are worn again, but much ends up as textile waste, unable to be sold due to quality or oversupply.
Landfill, Incineration, and the Hidden Cost of Clutter
Not all clothing makes it to resale markets. A significant portion is either incinerated or sent to landfill, particularly synthetic fibres like polyester, which can take hundreds of years to degrade. In some parts of the Global South, mountains of unsold secondhand clothes accumulate in dumps, creating environmental hazards and overwhelming local waste management systems.
In the UK alone, an estimated 300,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfill annually. Globally, the fashion industry contributes to approximately 92 million tonnes of textile waste per year. The true cost of our closet clean-outs is measured in carbon, water, and environmental degradation.
Recycling Isn’t a Silver Bullet
Textile recycling is often held up as a solution, but current systems face technological and economic limitations. Mixed fibres, dyes, and garment embellishments make recycling costly and inefficient. While chemical recycling methods are emerging, they are not yet widely scaled.
Most recycling still relies on downcycling — turning garments into insulation or industrial rags — rather than regenerating them into new fashion. Brands experimenting with take-back schemes often outsource the work, and transparency about the final destination of returned items is scarce.
Resale and Repair: A More Circular Approach
Circular fashion champions alternatives to decluttering by promoting resale, rental, and repair. Apps like Depop, Vinted, and Poshmark make it easier than ever to rehome clothing peer-to-peer. Brands are also launching in-house resale platforms, though the success varies.
Meanwhile, repair is regaining cultural momentum. From visible mending trends on TikTok to in-store repair services offered by Patagonia and Nudie Jeans, consumers are learning to value longevity over novelty.
What You Can Do
Before you declutter, ask yourself whether the garment still has life. Could it be altered, restyled, or repurposed? If not, research local charities or community groups that truly need donations. Seek out textile recycling points that are transparent about where materials go.
Ultimately, the best way to reduce waste is to buy less, choose better, and keep clothes in circulation longer. Decluttering doesn’t have to mean dumping — it can be an invitation to rethink our relationship with fashion.
Flawless Insight: Every garment has a journey beyond your wardrobe. Let’s ensure that journey reflects care, responsibility, and creativity — not just convenience.
