Clothing Recycling in 2022: Successes, Setbacks, and What’s Next

Let’s talk about what went down in 2022 when it came to clothing recycling. Spoiler: it was a bit of a rollercoaster. Some cool things happened, like new recycling tech and more people talking about sustainability. But there were also a bunch of problems—like greenwashing, overproduction, and supply chain chaos.

So here’s a quick rundown of what worked, what didn’t, and where things might be headed next.

Successes: Some Good News for a Change

1. More Awareness = More Action

One of the best things about 2022 was that way more people—especially younger folks—started caring about where their clothes go. Thanks to social media (and some well-done documentaries), conversations around fast fashion and recycling got louder.

Thrift shopping, clothing swaps, and upcycling became trendy. Even big influencers were talking about “slow fashion” and sustainable brands. That’s a win.

2. Tech Innovations in Recycling

Companies started working on some seriously cool technology to recycle clothes. One big problem in recycling textiles is that most clothes are made from blended fabrics (like cotton mixed with polyester), which are super hard to separate.

But in 2022, startups like Renewcell and Circ made progress in breaking down these blends and turning them into new fabric materials. It’s not mainstream yet, but it’s a step in the right direction.

3. Brand Take-Back Programs

A few brands launched or improved their take-back programs, where you can drop off old clothes and they’ll recycle or reuse them. For example, Levi’s and H&M pushed harder on recycling bins in stores.

Even though some people are skeptical about how effective these are, it still shows that companies are trying (and that people are expecting more responsibility from them).

😬 Setbacks: Still a Long Way to Go

1. Greenwashing is Everywhere

So many brands in 2022 started slapping “sustainable” or “eco-friendly” on their labels—even if they weren’t actually doing much. That’s called greenwashing, and it confuses people who do want to make better choices.

Sometimes a brand might say a product is “recycled” just because it has like 5% recycled material. Or they’ll launch one eco collection and keep selling thousands of new items every week. That’s not real change.

2. Overproduction Didn’t Stop

Despite all the talk about sustainability, fast fashion didn’t slow down. Brands kept pumping out clothes at insane rates. Shein, for example, added tens of thousands of new products each week. No joke.

The more we overproduce, the harder it is to actually recycle everything. Most recycling centers just can’t keep up, and way too many clothes still end up in landfills or are burned.

3. Not Enough Infrastructure

Here’s the real kicker: even when people want to recycle clothes, they often can’t. A lot of cities (especially in the U.S.) don’t have proper systems to collect and process textile waste.

In 2022, only about 13% of clothes were recycled globally. That’s it. And out of that, just 1% was actually recycled into new garments. The rest were either dumped or incinerated. We just don’t have the facilities or funding to handle clothing waste the way we should.

What’s Next?

1. Better Recycling Tech (Hopefully)

The new recycling tech being tested in 2022 needs to go bigger. If it works, it could mean blended fabrics can be broken down and reused way more easily. That would seriously help reduce waste and close the loop.

2. Policy Changes

Some governments are starting to take this seriously. The EU is already working on laws to hold clothing brands accountable for their waste. The U.S. is a bit slower, but local initiatives (like in California and New York) are pushing for more sustainable fashion rules.

If more places pass these laws, brands will have to change—finally.

3. More Youth-Led Change

Honestly, the biggest hope might be people like us. High schoolers, Gen Z, college students—whatever label you use—we’ve got serious power. Thrifting, DIY fashion, and sustainability aren't just buzzwords anymore. They’re movements.

And when enough of us care, brands notice. So whether it’s shopping smarter, organizing a clothing swap, or just spreading the word, we can be part of what’s next.

Final Thought (Short and Real)

2022 was a mixed bag. Recycling tech got better, awareness grew, but the system still has major flaws. If we keep pushing for real change—and stop falling for fake greenwashing—things might actually improve.

So yeah, that pile of old T-shirts in your closet? Maybe it’s time to get creative with it.