Wearable and Reused Textiles

According to a U.K. industry source, about 50% of collected textiles are reused, and about 50% are recycled. About 61 percent of recovered wearable clothes are exported to other countries. In some African countries, as many as 80% of people wear used clothing. The issue of sending used clothing to Africa has generated some degree of controversy as to the benefits of such initiatives, where it can have an adverse impact on local textile industries, native dress, and local waste generation.

In Canada, an estimated 10% of charitable contributions are sold by thrift stores, with another 90% of donated fabrics going to textile recyclers.