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Found in the Edge – The Used Clothes Recycling Industry

2020-08-21
| Ms Ma, a Waste Recycler in Hong Kong



I have been a used clothes recycler for more than 10 years. 

I still remember when I first started the collection, the clothes we received were all clean and tidy. The clothes at that time were not as damaged, yellowish, and stained like the ones collected now. Times changed, the clothes being donated now are not only unnecessary, but also clothes that need to be discarded. As a result, the quality of the used clothes is downgraded, and many of them are no longer suitable to reuse.

In addition, household products and kitchen supplies are always found in the recycling bins. Hazardous items such as knives, scissors, and fragile items like dishes will injure the frontline staff when they are clearing the bin. Since most of our bins are located at public area, some citizens passing by will misunderstand it as rubbish bin and drop food waste, expired food, finished lunch boxes and drinks inside. This will not only cause hygiene problem, but also contaminate other clean clothes. We have no choice but to give up the polluted clothes that could have been redistributed to the others. 


Photo source: Ms Ma

Because of the above reason, I would like to remind all our donors that Friends of the Earth (HK)’s used clothes recycling bins welcome any clean and neat clothes, shoes and bags (excluding reusable bags and isothermic bags) as donation. Towels and bedding such as pillows and quilts are not accepted for recycling. I hereby hope that the good means of the used clothes recycling programme could be protected and the public could make good use of our recycling bins. 


Photo source: Ms Ma

2020 is a year of disaster and the used clothes recycling industry is getting worse every month. Influenced by the worsening environment, our company is suffering from external and internal troubles. 

As affected by the Coronavirus outbreak, we have to implement a comprehensive closure of the recycling bins for the safety of the public and our colleagues. The capacity of our warehouse is fully utilised and there is inadequate storage space for the large quantity of used clothes. With exporting countries closing their customs, the large amount of clothes is forced to stay in the warehouse temporarily which causes the lack of cash flow. In long term, even if we could look for more warehouses, it will be difficult for us to afford the high rental expenses. 


Photo source: Ms Ma

Having been in the used clothes recycling industry for years, it is upsetting for us to watch it collapse. I hereby suggest the government to provide financial assistance and temporary storage space to cope with the accumulation of used clothes. To overcome the difficulties and survive in such a hard time, we absolutely need actions rather than plain words as help. 

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