There are three types of recycling, primary, secondary and tertiary. According to Recycling Consortium Organization, primary recycling can be considered as “second-hand use”, like donating, selling or painting over old clothes to make them reusable, while secondary and tertiary include a certain –but different- level of modification to the material.

Primary recycling can be the easiest to obtain and most beneficial for us; with countless options and ideas to what to do with old clothes. Even buying second-hand clothes can be considered a form of recycling that you, in a way, contribute in.

Though, if you’re wondering why anyone would consider it, let us tell you:

1. Eccentric Pieces:

From thrifted items to hand-painted pieces, those are usually rare one-pieces that are unlikely to be repeated within your range. You can get almost anything painted over a t-shirt, a jacket, or even an old pair of jeans that were –most likely- going to be thrown away. You can choose the design and get a piece like no other upon desire. Plus, you just saved a piece of clothing and gave it a second life, with the advantage of saving money to buy an entirely new one, even thrift shops are cheaper than your usual brand. Thrift shops are likely to be found downtown, like Wekalet El Balah, there’s an entire thrift market that includes everything.

2. Supporting Local Artists:

Local brands and artists don’t get as much support and popularity as international ones. We go and spend tons of money on international brand items and designer clothes, still, it’s about time we start giving creative, independent artists who produce original work some credit and attention.

3. Saving Environment:

According to Planet Aid Organization, disposing of clothes and fabric items in landfills increases the number of greenhouse gasses produced, unlike recycling or reusing them.

“Reusing the fabric in old clothes means fewer resources, both monetary and environmental, are wasted in growing fibre for new ones.” Says Planet Aid.

Even if we cannot physically save planet Earth, we can –at the very least- try not to inflict any more damage, especially if it costs us almost nothing!