What happens when you throw away your clothes?

Once your clothes get an impurity, it is quick and easy to throw it away, but what happens to it?

85% of clothes end up in landfills while the other 15% get recycled. The clothes in landfills would not be a problem if they were 100% biodegradable, but nearly all fabrics are made up of synthetic materials. When these fabrics are being put together and dyed, they are being sprayed with toxic chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, formaldehyde, and sometimes even lead, PFAS, and phthalates. When the clothes are sitting in the landfill, they are releasing these toxic chemicals into the soil and sometimes even waterways, which harms ecosystems. The clothes also emit greenhouse gases when decomposing, such as carbon dioxide and methane gas.

It is incredibly important to wear your clothes for as long as possible, buy second hand, and give second hand to prevent clothes from ending up in a landfill.