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Now we’re in the business of firmly believing that the following information shouldn’t really come in any use because all clothes that are end of life should be upcycled or recycled. That said, we’re also in the business of (low-key obsessively) encouraging people to avoid the bin at all costs and seeing how 13 million items of clothes still end up in landfill every week, we reckon knowledge is power. So, if you have ever wondered how long it might take for your clothes to decompose in landfill, here is everything you need to know. Just to reiterate: the key takeaway from this should be that landfill equals bad, recycling equals good. Ok, buckle in (yes, pun intended)…
Linen Trousers: 2 weeks
Kicking things off with linen with a tidy two weeks. Linen is a natural material made from Flax. The actual time it does take to decompose varies depending on weight, but on average it takes 2 weeks. The same goes for hemp clothing, which is often considered a comparable material to linen.
100% Cotton Tshirt (or other 100% cotton clothes) : 1-5 months
Synthetic labels and stitching will take longer, however.
Denim Jacket : 10-12 months
100% cotton denim will take up to a year to decompose. If it’s blended with synthetic materials (which is very common with denim these days), it will take longer. Hardware (buttons, rivets and zips) will also take a lot longer depending on what they’re made from.
Woolly Jumper : 1-5 years
Wool is a natural material so it can fully decompose. Remember, we’re talking about landfill conditions here. A good quality woolen jumper could easily last your lifetime if cared for well.
Nylon tights : 30-40 years
Another plastic material for you. Old tights hanging around for nearly half our life? No, thanks.
Rubber sole boots : 50-80 years
We’re talking genuine rubber here, which, believe it or not, is a natural material unlike its plastic counterpart which is often used. Rubber is an easily recyclable material so there really is no need for any rubber to end up in landfill.
Lycra or polyester clothing (eg. leggings) : 20-200 years
I don’t know about you but the thought of our old sweaty sportswear still being around in the time of our great, great, great, great grandchildren doesn’t make our hearts sing. Lycra is a man-made material and derivative of plastic, so this is essentially plastic pollution.
Sequins: Never
The party may be over but sequins didn’t get the memo. They’re literally going to be around to haunt generations to come. There are lots of alternatives to sequins out there these days so we recommend opting for vintage sequin outfits if you need that sparkle fix. Please don’t wash sequins in the washing machine - gently hand wash them instead. They’re really not kind to Mother Nature and we don’t want them going down our pipes.
Spandex: Literally never
Honestly, we don’t know how long this will take to decompose but it's estimated to be at least hundred and hundreds of years before spandex starts to biodegrade. Making spandex is pretty crap for the environment too, so basically, if you see spandex, run the other way.
Ok, so we know what you might be thinking. Some of these aren’t that bad, are they? Unfortunately, they are. Decomposing clothes contributes to greenhouse gases and consequently climate change. They also can make local areas toxic and unsafe for animals. There are also microfibers which are left behind after decomposition, which can end up in our soil and water streams, and then eventually in our food. Yep, we are now finding plastic in our bloodstreams.
Mora of the story? Don’t put your clothes in the bin. If they’re eligible for our takeback scheme, send them to us. Alternatively, we’ve written a whistle stop tour on what you can do with your old clothes and how to pass them on ethically.