Textile waste has become a major and growing component of municipal solid waste, driven primarily by fast fashion and shortened garment lifespans. In 2018 textiles comprised 5.8% of municipal solid waste, yet only about 14.7% of fabric waste was recycled that year. Between 2000 and 2018 textile waste rose by over 50%. Globally, about 92 million tons of textile waste are produced annually amid 80–100 billion new garments. Historical reuse and thorough recycling have declined. Practical responses include repair, reuse, resale, better collection systems, textile-to-textile and chemical recycling, and producer-responsibility policies.
After paper, food, plastic, yard waste, and metal, textiles make up the largest share of household waste. Most textile waste consists of discarded clothing. But furniture, carpets, bedding, and even footwear and tires contribute to the total. As of 2018, the last year the Environmental Protection Agency published national statistics, textiles comprise 5.8% of municipal solid waste , but just 14.7 percent of the more than 17 million tons of fabric waste was recycled.
The crisis is accelerating. A December 2024 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that textile waste increased by more than 50% between 2000 and 2018, mainly driven by the rise of fast fashion. The Roundup.org reports that the number of times a piece of clothing is typically worn before being discarded has decreased by 50% over the past 15 years.
Globally, the numbers are even more staggering. The world produces 92 million tons of textile waste every year, with between 80 and 100 billion new clothing garments produced annually. The European Union reports that just 20% of discarded textiles are collected for reuse or recycling globally, with just 1% of clothes recycle
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