Our Mission
But we reclaim only 15% of all discarded clothing. The average person in the US throws away 70 lbs. of clothing each year —that’s over 25 billion lbs. landfilled. At Garson & Shaw, though, we know that reusing and recycling are good for our planet and its people.
By re-wearing, reusing, and recycling clothing, we save precious natural resources, reduce pollution, and keep waste out of landfills. Every item of clothing saved is good for our planet. Garson & Shaw is committed to environmental stewardship through textile reuse and recycling. We are proud to be leaders in the industry, and we actively work to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of secondhand clothing.
Reusing just one t-shirt, instead of buying new, saves 700 gallons of water and many pounds of chemical pesticides that pollute the environment.
For every pound of cotton manufactured, 15 lbs. of CO2 are released into the atmosphere. Buying secondhand reduces the demand for this manufacture, eliminating these emissions.
Reusing textiles also reduces waste. According to the EPA, the US generates 25 billion lbs. of textile waste every year. Recycling keeps clothes out of the trash, saving landfill space and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.