cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/30868645

ONLY 26% OF clothes donated to bring banks or store take-back schemes are actually recycled, new research from environmental charity Voice Ireland indicates.

Using trackers, Voice Ireland followed 23 items of clothing donated in Ireland to see where they actually end up – and in the majority of cases it’s really unclear.

Ninety-five per cent of the tracked clothing was exported out of the country, and 60% left the EU. Over ten months the items travelled through 12 countries, including Poland, Pakistan, the UAE and Libya.

Despite 22 out of 23 items being in good, reusable condition, only six found a second life, bringing the reuse rate to just 26%.