What To Do With Old Bras: Try These 8 Sustainable Hacks

We're answering your toughest sustainability questions! Ask us via Facebook, Twitter or email.

This week, Elisa Goff has asked, "What to do with old bras?"

This is a wonderful question Elisa! Textile waste is a growing problem, finding innovative ways to re-use textile items like bras an important challenge to tackle. Effectively re-using old clothes is one step closer to a zero-waste, low-carbon lifestyle.

The Textile Waste Problem:

Did you know that according to the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries Australia, clothing is the fastest-growing household waste? On average, each of us throw out about 30kg of clothing and textile items a year!

Unlike some categories of waste, clothing is particularly difficult to recover from landfill. In a report, the ABS has outlined that textiles are considered "too costly or difficult to recover." It also outlined that 501,000 tonnes (or 88%) of leather and textiles were sent to landfill in 2009-10.

Our disposable attitude towards clothes is hugely costly the planet, and our hip-pockets too. Nowadays, the textile industry is now one of the largest producers of greenhouse gasses on Earth. As it stands, our planet simply cannot sustain the amount of clothes and other textiles the global market is consuming. The average household spends a huge $2,600 per year on clothing, footwear and accessories!

So what do we, as individuals, do about this pressing issue? We take responsibility for the problem, and proactively make changes in our lives. We look for a better ways to do things, just like Elisa has. Good on you Elisa!

8 Planet-Strong Ways With Old Bras:

The good news is up to 95% of clothing can be re-used or recycled, including bras! Check out these 10 ways with old bras, and never send a bra to land-fill again.

1. Donate a lightly-worn bra to a woman in need:

If you're doing a closet cleanse and decide you no longer want or need a lightly worn bra, this is the perfect solution. For some women in disadvantaged communities, bras can be unobtainable or unaffordable. Luckily, a few organisations exist which will take donated bras, and distribute them to these women. The Uplift Project have sound ethical standards, and send bras in biodegradable packaging, as well as aim not to compete with local businesses. Other great bra gifting options include Against Breast Cancer, the Breast Cancer Campaign and Oxfam.

Image: The Uplift Project