GLOBAL IMPACT

Why Partner with World Wear Project?

Keeping up with fast fashion demands that we shop more than ever, leading to overstuffed wardrobes and excessive waste. On average, Americans discard seventy pounds of clothing and textiles per person annually.

Forget the garbage. While some communities have textile recycling programs, 85% of textile waste still ends up in landfills, occupying approximately 5% of landfill space, and this percentage continues to grow. With landfill space becoming harder to find and more expensive, sustainable alternatives are crucial.

Discarding textiles is wasteful—not just of the material itself, but also the water and energy used to manufacture them. Instead of adding to pollution, we can repurpose most textiles and significantly reduce environmental impact.

92 million

tons of the solid waste stream are accounted for by textiles

93%

of waste we can recycle without producing new harm

4 million

pounds processed every month in our North Texas center processing facility

The Benefits

Nearly 100% of household textiles and clothing can be repurposed, regardless of quality or condition. Repurposing offers a triple benefit:

Reduces landfill waste by diverting textiles from trash streams.
Provides economic and social benefits, including employment in the recycling sector.
Funds charitable programs that support individuals and communities in need.

Despite the growing awareness of recycling plastics and metals, textile recycling is still largely overlooked. Nearly half of unwanted clothing and textiles in the U.S. still end up in the trash, adding to the waste stream unnecessarily.

Additional Benefits

✔ Reduces the carbon footprint of textile production.
✔ Stimulates economic development worldwide.
✔ Converts waste into valuable products.
✔ Creates jobs for semi-skilled and marginally employable workers.

The Good News

There’s good news: 48% of post-consumer textile waste is resold to developing countries. This circulation of second-hand clothing not only makes everyday essentials available to those who need them most, but also helps establish marketplaces in underserved areas, providing affordable options and creating opportunities for small businesses.

This low-cost distribution ensures clothing remains accessible while supporting communities around the world.