TEXTILES

Did you know that “every year, 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced globally. Production doubled from 2000 to 2015, while the duration of garment use decreased by 36 percent. Eleven percent of plastic waste comes from clothing and textiles, with only 8 percent of textiles fibres in 2023 made from recycled sources.” - UN* Solana Center is leading the way on community education focused on reducing textile waste and inspiring sustainable behavior change in the San Diego region and beyond. 

White T-shirt hanging on a tree with a message about discarded fabric during manufacturing.

California’s groundbreaking SB 707 Responsible Textile Recovery Act, holds the apparel and textile industry responsible for making sure their products get collected, repaired, reused, and recycled.

  • The average American throws away over 80 lbs of clothing annually

  • 95% of worn/torn textiles can be recycled

  • Only 15% is donated or recycled; the rest is landfilled

  • Like food, landfilled textiles release methane

  • Like plastics, we are sending our problem “away” to other countries

  • Textile industry is resource intensive – using water, energy, raw materials

  • Fast fashion is contributing to increased demand for new clothing – GHG footprint

  • grew by 23% from 2000 to 2015

  • Synthetics are toxic in waste streams and incineration

  • < 1% of clothes are made with recycled material and many are made of plastic derivatives

Textile Facts

Solana Center is focused on practical solutions to textile waste. Our education initiatives help consumers understand their role in the textile cycle, as well as how to be part of the solution. From choosing natural fibers, investing in high quality garments, thrifting, repurposing, and upcycling to repairing garments and household goods each of us can have an impact on diverting textile waste from our landfills, international dump sites, and conservation areas.

Diagram illustrating the journey of sustainable textile waste, including steps: reuse, repair, repurpose, and recycle, with descriptions for each step.

In the News

“I learned how much waste and contamination and all the problems that fast fashion brings to the world and wanted to be part of the solution.”

— Founder of Muxu Creations, sustainable fashion vendor at 2025 Textile Waste event

Get in touch

Interested in Zero Waste Textile education? Reach out to our staff to learn more education@solanacenter.org