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December 11, 2025

Shocking Facts About Textile Waste

By TrunkMatch Team
sustainabilityenvironmentfacts

Shocking Facts About Textile Waste

The fashion industry has a significant environmental impact. Here are some eye-opening facts:

The Numbers

  • 92 million tons of textile waste are created globally each year
  • The average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing annually
  • Only 15% of clothing is recycled or donated
  • It takes 2,700 liters of water to make one cotton t-shirt

The Impact

Textile waste contributes to:

  • Landfill overflow
  • Water pollution from dyes and chemicals
  • Greenhouse gas emissions
  • Resource depletion

How TrunkMatch Helps

Every item sold on TrunkMatch:

  • Extends the life of clothing
  • Reduces demand for new production
  • Keeps items out of landfills
  • Saves water and resources

What You Can Do

  1. Buy secondhand when possible
  2. Sell or donate items you no longer need
  3. Choose quality over quantity
  4. Repair items instead of replacing them
  5. Support circular economy platforms like TrunkMatch

Together, we can make a difference!