Textiles, including clothing and household fabrics, make up 6.5% of the region's garbage by weight, according to Metro Vancouver's 2023 waste composition study. Textiles are one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the region. Changing fashion trends and low-cost clothing have led to higher consumption and disposal rates, with tens of thousands of tonnes of textiles discarded each year.
Once in the garbage, textiles take up valuable landfill space, despite the fact that many items could be repaired, reused, or recycled.
Learn more about
textiles waste reduction in Metro Vancouver.
The textiles waste reduction campaign, running since 2019, is part of a suite of education, policy, regulatory, and facility investments by Metro Vancouver to reduce waste in the region. It supports the waste reduction objectives in the
Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan.
The 2025 campaign builds on this work by focusing on encouraging small, easy repairs, empowering residents to extend the life of their clothing and reduce waste.
Interested in sharing or using the campaign?
View and download the artwork