Week 25 challenge | Extend the life of your clothing

According to the Recycling Council of Ontario, North Americans directed 9.5 million tonnes of clothing to the landfill in 2019 – even though a lot of those items could be reused, recycled or dropped off at your local MCC Thrift shop!

So this week, let’s do and learn some things to help prolong the life of your clothes.

Repair

If your favourite sweater or pair of jeans has a tear in it, don’t fret! Pick up a needle and thread and sew it on up. YouTube and Pinterest have loads of how-tos and creative ideas. From simply using a needle and thread to sewing on a patch, your wardrobe will look brand-spankin’ new in no time!

Re-purpose

Consider turning an old pair of jeans into shorts or even a skirt. Is your yellow T-shirt looking a little less sunshiny than it used to? Turn it into your favorite pajama top.

Quality over quantity

If you need a wardrobe refresh beyond a repair, consider buying higher quality pieces that will stand the test of time. Fast-fashion isn’t made to last and is a big contributor to our landfills. Buying higher quality pieces means you’ll have the item longer, making less waste.

Shop secondhand

Your local MCC Thrift shop is full of clothes that have stood the test of time and still have a lot of life left in them. Plus, your money will go further with secondhand prices.

What other tips can you think of for extending the life of your clothes? We’d love to hear your ideas. Send me a message or post a photo of your repaired or re-purposed clothing item on social media with the hashtag #thrifty50 and tag us with @MCCThrift.

Until next week,
Lori Giesbrecht
MCC Thrift

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