How to Recycle Wool Jackets
If you have old wool jackets and coats that you no longer want or need, there are a wide variety of options for recycling them instead of throwing them out. Many textile manufacturers and clothing companies use recycled fibers in their clothing. Packaging companies also use recycled fibers, and recycled wool is sometimes used for insulation. In addition, you can do numerous things at home with unwanted wool fabrics. All it takes is a bit of creativity and effort to keep your wool jacket out of the landfills.
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Instructions
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Recycle it. Some cities have fiber recycling programs, many of which can be found in booths at local farmer's markets. The nonprofit group USAgain has clothing recycling centers and drop boxes in 11 major U.S. cities. In New York City the group Wearable Collections will place a collection bin at your apartment building and has collection points throughout the city.
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Compost it. If you have a composting pile or bucket, you can cut up your jacket into small strips and place them in your composting bin. This will only work for 100-percent wool fabrics. Linings are often made from polyester, so make sure you remove those first. Blended fiber textiles will work as long as they are made of natural fibers.
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Donate it. Jackets that are in wearable condition, even if they are out-of-style, are welcomed by thrift stores such as Goodwill and Salvation Army. Additionally, many cities and towns have coat drives in which unwanted coats and jackets are collected for distribution to the homeless and disadvantaged. One of the largest coat drives in the country is New York City's New York Cares program. New York Cares has numerous collection points throughout the tristate region, including Grand Central Terminal and other major commuter hubs.
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Repurpose it. If you are craft-oriented, wool jackets can be a great source for materials. Items such as buttons and zippers can be reused for other projects. You can use the wool itself for making other garments or patching elbows on jackets, or to make potholders, quilts and a wide variety of other items. Wool jackets tend to be made from felted wool of some sort, making this fabric versatile. Check out the References section for ideas on wool felt crafts.
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References
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