Bolster your budget and improve the environment by reducing textile consumption

If you’re like many procrastinators across America, you might be in the midst of last-minute shopping before Christmas. But don’t rush off to your local department store to purchase new goods. The Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) Association encourages you to find quality apparel for your loved ones and improve the environment by shopping second-hand.

“What many don’t realize is that there are some great items sitting on the racks of your local second-hand store or charity like Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent De Paul or Savers,” says Jackie King, executive director of SMART. “These items are often offered at an extreme discount – something very helpful for those on a budget this holiday season, but who still want to give their loved ones a nice gift!”

Shopping second-hand not only helps one’s wallet, but also the environment. According to the American Apparel & Footwear Association, less than half of clothing items purchased annually are worn on a regular basis after their second year, leaving them destined to end up in our nation’s landfills. The lifespan of clothing donated to second-hand stores and charities, however, is extended.

“It may take a little patience and digging, but there are many quality items out there – some of which have never been worn – just waiting to be gifted!” says King. “Our goal at SMART is to help change the way that people think about textile waste and help them realize there are many alternative ways to purchasing clothing than buying new.”

For more information on SMART, including textile recycling resources for consumers, educators and children, visit www.smartasn.org. Please direct media inquiries for SMART to Andrea Lynn at 410-420-2001 or by email at andrea.lynn@fallstongroup.com.

About SMART
Established in 1932, the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) is an international nonprofit trade association that strengthens the economic opportunities of its diverse membership by promoting the interdependence of the for-profit textile recycling industry segments and providing a common forum for networking, education and trade. SMART members use and convert recycled and secondary materials from used clothing, commercial laundries and non-woven, off spec material, new mills ends and paper from around the world. SMART member companies create thousands of jobs worldwide, proving each day you can make money by being social responsible.