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Textile Recycling Facts

Textiles are recycled for use as a number of different products, including paper, polishing cloths, insulation and compost, according to the EPA. More than 500 companies in the United States are involved in the textile recycling industry.

  1. Charitable Organizations

    • Almost half of the textiles that are discarded are donated to charitable organizations, who resell them at a discount or donate them to the needy. Most of what is given to charity is shipped to foreign countries.

    Industry Sales

    • Used clothing that is not otherwise used may be sold to the textile recycling industry, consisting of both primary processors, which employ about 10,000 workers, and secondary processors, which employ about 7,000 workers. Gross sales from primary processing total about $400 million a year, while secondary processing accounts for $300 million.

    Other Facts

    • The textile recycling industry processes about 2.5 billion lbs. of textile product waste in the United States. Most of the industry consists of family-owned businesses whose workers are semi-skilled or unskilled.

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