section_path: Life cycle/Recycling
section_name: Recycling
paragraph_text: Recycling
  
  It is estimated that 80 billion to 150 billion garments are produced annually. Used, unwearable clothing can be repurposed for quilts, rags, rugs, bandages, and many other household uses. Neutral colored or undyed cellulose fibers can be recycled into paper. In Western societies, used clothing is often thrown out or donated to charity (such as through a clothing bin). It is also sold to consignment shops, dress agencies, flea markets, and in online auctions. Also, used clothing often is collected on an industrial scale to be sorted and shipped for re-use in poorer countries. Globally, used clothes are worth $4 billion, with the U.S. as the leading exporter at $575 million.
  
  Synthetics, which come primarily from petrochemicals, are not renewable or biodegradable.
  
  Excess inventory of clothing is sometimes destroyed to preserve brand value.