My favorite way to recycle old clothes is if they’re durable enough, cutting them up and using them as cleaning rags. Also, Im an American living in South Korea and here we have separate recycling bins for clothes! I wish the US would improve their recycling separation 😭
As with any sustainable issues, it comes down to the producers having zero accountability leaving the consumer with complete responsibility the moment it's sold. Such an awful system we have!
But I think pressure needs to come from consumers to hold companies accountable. And most consumers don't even check the fiber content of the clothes they are buying. It's the first thing I check, but I've realized that most people have no idea what their clothes are made from. 💜 Heidi
Once again you've alerted me to something I didn't know before about sustainable fashion. Thanks for the easy-to-digest, informative, and entertaining content you make! (Yup, stuffed as many adjectives as possible in there to catch the algorithm's attention)
I find that people often forget about the threads... My partner sews our clothes and even in the more eco friendly stores they always asks if we want to buy thread, polyester thread that is. Great video! Always learning something new when you post :)
You and/or your partner might be interested in Bernadette Banner's UA-cam channel: she sews reproduction clothing using the era's techniques and has really interesting information about thread: both fiber content and the twist and ply.
Thank you for all the information (I had no idea about that 100% cotton doesn't mean the threading is cotton too) and the recommendations for so many great sustainable brands!
Thank you so much for alerting us to this! I'm a person who loves fiber arts, so I've been collecting old holey socks and underwear for a few years with the plans to chop them up and use them as filling in pillows and decorative stuffed toys (for me, not for kids) and that way I won't have to buy poly-fill again. Ripped sheets go in the scrap sewing pile or rag pile. Hope this helps a few people wondering "well, what do I do with the clothes, then?"
hi im french student and my english class working on your video and we have to give our opinion, i think your video is a good example for everybody who are watching you ! thank you
Such an important and necessary video!! We need more accountability around what terms like “biodegradable” really mean, and brands being transparent about all the components that go into their products. Plus, more focus on textile recycling systems (without exploiting the global south to do it)! Thank you for this video 👏🏼💛
Very eye-opening video, thanks Erin 😊 Speaking of the thread, I am in the UK. It's actually very difficult to buy cotton thread for one's sewing kit these days. Even at small independent haberdasheries, I get looked at like a crazy person if I ask specifically ask for "cotton thread, and not polyester". The thread that you can find in supermarkets it's going to be polyester 9 out of 10 times. And fair enough, polyester thread is more durable but it would be nice to have the choice.
@@caitlinlancehope5626 @My Green Closet Oh, Thank you both so much ladies! I honestly didn't think to look online but next time I need to restock my sowing kit, I will definitely go with your suggestions ❤❤❤
I'm trying to listen but I got distracted by how well your jumper matches your eyes 😍 Your makeup and hair look beautiful too. Thanks for dispelling myths and explaining things clearly as always!
Everything is so complicated with textiles! Even though I like to choose natural undyed unbleached cotton, there is still the thread, snaps, etc! I love how you take a deep dive into these issues. I guess part of the solution is drastically reducing our consumption. We're buying way too many clothes! And in my case, cloth diapers... 💜 Heidi
Lot’s of important information! But IMO there’s many positives reasons to compost cotton, hemp….and many other organic “dyed” clothing especially for those of us who grow vertically using soil🤔
So glad you did this! I've been talking with others about this very topic. I've slowly moved to making my own garments because of the polyester thread problem. This was so concise, clear and very helpful and I can't wait to share it with my friends/family. Thank you for putting this together.
We can't even get good information about the ingredients in our food (in the US)! They can hide things by spraying bags rather than using preservatives on the food, and companies don't have to share the contents within individual ingredients. It doesn't surprise me that they don't provide info. for clothing dyes. Thank you for reminding us about things like cotton/poly thread, etc. You made some great points!
I totally agree!! There are better solutions for clothing to be recycled rather than composting :) Thanks for sharing I think this is something people don't know!!
Thanks for the video! Honestly even OEKO-TEX 100 doesn't say much about the toxicity of the product to the environment as it has be designed to address consumer safety. E.g. good if you want something safe for your baby/kid, but not so much to decide whether you should compost or not.
That's a good point! I feel like if it's natural and OEKO-TEX certified there's a pretty good chance it's also safe for the environment, but you're right, we don't know for sure.
Other videos show cloths compost with compost worms... worms will eat cotton, leave poly fibers, so partial compost on blended fibers. Still this would help Africa's second hand clothing waste problem .. am wondering about the dyes...
I've been wondering about this topic for a while so thank you for the useful info 😊 I hadn't thought about the thread used to sew garments until one day, I went looking for a cotton thread in a store and the employee told me that she didn't have many options to choose from because polyester is way more popular due to its durability. Because of that, I've never felt confident composting any of my clothes. I'll definitely check out your list of companies making compostable garments! Have you found any info on the actual composting process? I assume you'd have to cut the garments into very small pieces to help them break down. But how long would it take for them to compost compared to say, vegetables or leaves?
Apparently you can just throw it in, but I'd assume cutting it up would help. The Very Good Bra is the only one I've seen with public info about the biodegrading process (I have their info linked in the post) and they found in a worm farm everything except the elastics (which are natural rubber, but probably harder for worms to break down) was gone in 8 weeks! Worm farms do tend to be faster though, so I'm not sure how long it would be in a regular compost.
I've never heard of composting clothes. I have a woodstove and clothes that are too worn or damaged to be fixed get cut up and turned into fire starters, if its all cotton.
This also isn't necessarily a good option though - you're likely burning plastic threads and also don't know what kind of dyes or treatments might be on the fabric. I would also be cautious with burning clothes unless you know they're safe.
When you were looking into viscose, did you find out if tencel is usually dyed with better dyes? I understand it's a brand so maybe there is more control of the whole process of making the fabric. I'm looking into buying fabric and sewing the garments myself. It always annoys me that we kind of have to use polyester threads in modern sewing machines. I wonder if the old Singer ones work fine with cotton. I think it's really a mechanical problem. When people hand sewed a lot, they often used waxed linen thread for sturdy stitches
It's my understanding that Lenzing (who makes Tencel) primarily produces the fibres which are then bought by fabric mills who dye, spin, & knit/weave them into fabrics, so I assume they could be dyed with anything. However Lenzing/Tencel does have something called "Eco Color" and it looks like they also sell some dyed fibres too, although I don't think as a consumer it would be easy to find out if the fabric has been dyed by Lenzing or an independent textile company.
I love this hair color on you!
Thank you! I'm really enjoying it 😊
I re-dyed it this week with a redder shade :)
My favorite way to recycle old clothes is if they’re durable enough, cutting them up and using them as cleaning rags.
Also, Im an American living in South Korea and here we have separate recycling bins for clothes! I wish the US would improve their recycling separation 😭
Wow that’s amazing I had no idea any country would do that? How do they recycle it though?
As with any sustainable issues, it comes down to the producers having zero accountability leaving the consumer with complete responsibility the moment it's sold. Such an awful system we have!
But I think pressure needs to come from consumers to hold companies accountable. And most consumers don't even check the fiber content of the clothes they are buying. It's the first thing I check, but I've realized that most people have no idea what their clothes are made from. 💜 Heidi
Once again you've alerted me to something I didn't know before about sustainable fashion. Thanks for the easy-to-digest, informative, and entertaining content you make! (Yup, stuffed as many adjectives as possible in there to catch the algorithm's attention)
That's so great to hear! And thanks 😉
I find that people often forget about the threads... My partner sews our clothes and even in the more eco friendly stores they always asks if we want to buy thread, polyester thread that is. Great video! Always learning something new when you post :)
You and/or your partner might be interested in Bernadette Banner's UA-cam channel: she sews reproduction clothing using the era's techniques and has really interesting information about thread: both fiber content and the twist and ply.
@@Clairelaferret That's sounds fascinating, thank you! I will for sure check her channel out :)
Thank you for all the information (I had no idea about that 100% cotton doesn't mean the threading is cotton too) and the recommendations for so many great sustainable brands!
Thank you so much for alerting us to this! I'm a person who loves fiber arts, so I've been collecting old holey socks and underwear for a few years with the plans to chop them up and use them as filling in pillows and decorative stuffed toys (for me, not for kids) and that way I won't have to buy poly-fill again. Ripped sheets go in the scrap sewing pile or rag pile. Hope this helps a few people wondering "well, what do I do with the clothes, then?"
hi im french student and my english class working on your video and we have to give our opinion, i think your video is a good example for everybody who are watching you ! thank you
Such an important and necessary video!! We need more accountability around what terms like “biodegradable” really mean, and brands being transparent about all the components that go into their products. Plus, more focus on textile recycling systems (without exploiting the global south to do it)! Thank you for this video 👏🏼💛
Yes, we so desperately do!
Very eye-opening video, thanks Erin 😊 Speaking of the thread, I am in the UK. It's actually very difficult to buy cotton thread for one's sewing kit these days. Even at small independent haberdasheries, I get looked at like a crazy person if I ask specifically ask for "cotton thread, and not polyester". The thread that you can find in supermarkets it's going to be polyester 9 out of 10 times. And fair enough, polyester thread is more durable but it would be nice to have the choice.
It's frustratingly hard to find!
I do know though that in the UK, you can find organic cotton thread at Offset Warehouse. :)
I’m in the U.K. and have bought the organic cotton thread from both Offset Warehouse and Organic Textile Company. Can recommend both companies ☺️
@@caitlinlancehope5626 @My Green Closet Oh, Thank you both so much ladies! I honestly didn't think to look online but next time I need to restock my sowing kit, I will definitely go with your suggestions ❤❤❤
I'm trying to listen but I got distracted by how well your jumper matches your eyes 😍 Your makeup and hair look beautiful too. Thanks for dispelling myths and explaining things clearly as always!
The hair, the makeup, the top. You look stunning!
Oh thank you so much 😊
Everything is so complicated with textiles! Even though I like to choose natural undyed unbleached cotton, there is still the thread, snaps, etc! I love how you take a deep dive into these issues. I guess part of the solution is drastically reducing our consumption. We're buying way too many clothes! And in my case, cloth diapers... 💜 Heidi
So informative!! Thank you☺️. That hair colour is STUNNING in you💕
Lot’s of important information! But IMO there’s many positives reasons to compost cotton, hemp….and many other organic “dyed” clothing especially for those of us who grow vertically using soil🤔
This is so important and informative. Great video. I would also like to say that your hair colour is beautiful. I just love the asthetic of the video.
Thank you so much!
So glad you did this! I've been talking with others about this very topic. I've slowly moved to making my own garments because of the polyester thread problem. This was so concise, clear and very helpful and I can't wait to share it with my friends/family. Thank you for putting this together.
Please do a video on dyes and colours. Which colours are more sustainable than others and is there even a difference nowadays? Thank you!
I have a video about it from a few years ago ua-cam.com/video/pBULtq88J4E/v-deo.html :)
Thank you! This is exactly the information I’ve been searching for 😊
Fantastic video. Well researched but easy to understand. Thanks Erin!
We can't even get good information about the ingredients in our food (in the US)! They can hide things by spraying bags rather than using preservatives on the food, and companies don't have to share the contents within individual ingredients. It doesn't surprise me that they don't provide info. for clothing dyes. Thank you for reminding us about things like cotton/poly thread, etc. You made some great points!
I love your hair so much! Suits you well!
Thank you! I'm really liking it! 😊
Thank you for sharing 🙌🏽💚
I totally agree!! There are better solutions for clothing to be recycled rather than composting :) Thanks for sharing I think this is something people don't know!!
This was actually very helpful! Thank you 💖
Thank you for pointing this out and for the great work that you do.
Thanks for the video! Honestly even OEKO-TEX 100 doesn't say much about the toxicity of the product to the environment as it has be designed to address consumer safety. E.g. good if you want something safe for your baby/kid, but not so much to decide whether you should compost or not.
That's a good point! I feel like if it's natural and OEKO-TEX certified there's a pretty good chance it's also safe for the environment, but you're right, we don't know for sure.
Unfortunately, if ya don't compost it it goes into the ground somewhere else
Other videos show cloths compost with compost worms... worms will eat cotton, leave poly fibers, so partial compost on blended fibers. Still this would help Africa's second hand clothing waste problem .. am wondering about the dyes...
Thank you!!
nice video
I've been wondering about this topic for a while so thank you for the useful info 😊 I hadn't thought about the thread used to sew garments until one day, I went looking for a cotton thread in a store and the employee told me that she didn't have many options to choose from because polyester is way more popular due to its durability.
Because of that, I've never felt confident composting any of my clothes. I'll definitely check out your list of companies making compostable garments!
Have you found any info on the actual composting process? I assume you'd have to cut the garments into very small pieces to help them break down. But how long would it take for them to compost compared to say, vegetables or leaves?
Apparently you can just throw it in, but I'd assume cutting it up would help.
The Very Good Bra is the only one I've seen with public info about the biodegrading process (I have their info linked in the post) and they found in a worm farm everything except the elastics (which are natural rubber, but probably harder for worms to break down) was gone in 8 weeks! Worm farms do tend to be faster though, so I'm not sure how long it would be in a regular compost.
Loved the video
Beautiful ☺️
You don't explain how brands call their garments 100% cotton if they use synthetic threads. What is the loophole they use there?
They're just required to list the fabric content. Sewing thread isn't part of the fabric so there are no labelling requirements
@@MyGreenCloset ahh, apologies. I clearly don't know enough about how clothes are made
I've never heard of composting clothes. I have a woodstove and clothes that are too worn or damaged to be fixed get cut up and turned into fire starters, if its all cotton.
This also isn't necessarily a good option though - you're likely burning plastic threads and also don't know what kind of dyes or treatments might be on the fabric. I would also be cautious with burning clothes unless you know they're safe.
@@MyGreenCloset ok
Is it any different if worms eat it? Wouldnt they just break down those chemicals from the dye and such? Is there any research on that?
Considering composting worms aren't even supposed to eat very processed foods I doubt dyed and treated fibres are good for them.
When you were looking into viscose, did you find out if tencel is usually dyed with better dyes? I understand it's a brand so maybe there is more control of the whole process of making the fabric. I'm looking into buying fabric and sewing the garments myself.
It always annoys me that we kind of have to use polyester threads in modern sewing machines. I wonder if the old Singer ones work fine with cotton. I think it's really a mechanical problem. When people hand sewed a lot, they often used waxed linen thread for sturdy stitches
It's my understanding that Lenzing (who makes Tencel) primarily produces the fibres which are then bought by fabric mills who dye, spin, & knit/weave them into fabrics, so I assume they could be dyed with anything.
However Lenzing/Tencel does have something called "Eco Color" and it looks like they also sell some dyed fibres too, although I don't think as a consumer it would be easy to find out if the fabric has been dyed by Lenzing or an independent textile company.
@@MyGreenCloset thank you so much, learnt a lot, once again ❤
I recommend changing your video label to not mislead, but encourage people towards understanding their clothes and positively changing their ways.
Did u regret buzzing your long hair? Asians would never even imagine doing it