Zero-Waste options:
Backpacks (and school bags):
- Buy New Backpacks:
- Sporthouse Ireland – lifetime guarantee on all backpacks and schoolbags – can be sent to the company for repair.
- Sundrift – eco-friendly, sustainable, Irish business – backpacks made from recycled plastic bottles.
- Bags made from recycled plastic bottles – at MyCottonDrawer.ie
- Cork backpacks – made of cork (a compostable textile made from the bark of the cork oak tree) can be bought online:
- Buy Upcycled backpacks:
- AKSailBags – bags made from upcycled sails – based in Dublin.
- Jump the Hedges – backpacks made from old tarpaulin, etc. – based in Belfast
- Wyatt and Jack – ships to Ireland – bags made from bouncy castles, etc.
- Buy (second hand) or sell backpacks
- Local Freecycle groups – give your backpack away free.
- Repair backpacks:
- Click on the ‘Shoes’ tab on RepairMyStuff.ie – backpacks can sometimes be repaired at shoe repair stores.
- Some charity shops may accept backpacks.
- Upcycle bags and backpacks – Old backpacks can be used as storage around the home, attic or garage.
Bags:
- Buy new bags:
- Bags made from cork at Made of Cork
- Sallyann’s Handmade Bags – made from upcycled denim jeans
- Dendulra – bags and jewellery
- Eco NI – bags made from upcycled jeans
- Buy second hand bags:
- Siopaella (second hand) Dublin and online.
- DesignerExchange.ie (second hand).
- Buy and Sell sites.
- More vintage shops here
- charity shops
- Local freecycle groups – give your bag away free
- Handbag Upcycling ideas
- Repair Bags:
- Click on the ‘Clothes and Bags’ tab on RepairMyStuff.ie to find bag repair services in your area. More information on DIY repairs here.
- End of Life Bags:
- Penneys textile take-back scheme accepts bags. Scheme is operated by Yellow Octopus who state that everything is recycled or re-used, and nothing ends up in landfill.
Belts:
- Second hand belts can be found at charity shops or vintage clothes shops.
- Belts can be donated to charity shops.
- Upcycling ideas for old belts.
Bras:
Ireland:
- Lightly-worn bras can be donated to some charity shops.
- Mark your bag ‘rags’ and bring them to a charity shop that accepts rags.
- Bras are accepted at the Clothing Pod clothes bins around the country.
- Some homeless charities are in need of them.
- H&M clothing bank – some clothes are used for rags.
UK:
- Bras are recycled in the UK by Against Breast Cancer.
- UK charity Smalls for All accept ‘gently worn’ (laundered) bras which can be any size, including sports and nursing bras, but not cropped-top style or bikini tops. They are given to those in need in the UK and Africa.
Briefcases:
- Second hand briefcases on Ebay.ie
- Buy (second hand) or Sell.
- Local Freecycle groups.
- Donate them to charity shops.
- Repair:
- Click on the ‘Clothes and Bags’ tab on RepairMyStuff.ie to find repair services in your area. More information here.
Eyewear:
- Wooden sunglasses at Crann (Irish company).
- Donate old glasses to Lions Clubs Ireland who donate them to people in developing countries.
- Specsavers, VisionExpress and other opticians sometimes take back old glasses for recycling or donation to charity.
- Information on eyeglasses from MyWaste.ie.
- Glasses cases – keep and use as sewing kit. More ideas here.
Hats:
- Vintage Shops – do a search for vintage shops around Ireland. Many have online shops. More vintage shops here.
- Men’s hats and baseball caps made from cork (a material made from the bark of the cork oak – trees are not actually cut down).
- Buy (second hand) or Sell.
- Local Freecycle groups.
- Charity shops accept hats and accessories.
- Hat rental – do a google search for hat rental shops in your area.
Jewellery:
- Buy (second hand) or Sell
- Buy New
- Local Freecycle groups.
- Many Irish vintage shops on Instagram sell pre-loved jewellery eg. Lady Loves Vogue, BeirtVintage.
- Vestiaire Collective – choose ‘Ship from Ireland’ on the left of the screen
- Many pawn shops buy and sell jewellery – some listed here.
- Sell your gold for cash at CashForGoldIreland.
- Jewellery Repair:
- Click on the ‘Watches & Jewellery’ tab on RepairMyStuff.ie to find jewellery repair services in your area.
- Old watches that are no longer working and beyond repair can be recycled as electronic waste if they contain a battery.
Purses and Wallets:
- Buy (New) cork purses and wallets at CorkCrafts.ie.
- The Upcycle Movement – 100% upcycled accessories made from damaged wetsuits – based in Wexford
- Attention Attire – accessories made in Ireland from upcycled camping gear.
- Donate to charity.
Scarves:
- Charity shops should accept scarves.
- Buy (second hand) or Sell.
- Vintage clothing shops.
- Local Freecycle groups.
- Ideas for upcycling your old scarves.
Socks and Underpants:
- Keep your socks in use by keeping them mended.
- Ways to re-use socks – from loveyourclothes.org
Buy New:
- Polly and Andy (based in Waterford)
- Dedoles.ie
- Seasalt Cornwall
Disposal:
- Socks can be donated to Clothes Pod clothing banks around the country, a list of which can be found on their website. They say that the clothes are recycled, reused or repurposed.
- They can be composted if they contain only natural fibres such as 100% cotton. A list of natural fibres can be found here. There must be no added synthetic fibres. Cut into very small pieces, removing any trimmings.
Suitcases and Luggage:
- Buy (second hand) or Sell.
- Local Freecycle groups.
- Upcycling:
- Upcycled suitcase ideas.
- Old overnight bags and suitcases can be used for storage in your home, attic or shed.
Ties:
- Charity shops should accept ties.
- Buy (second hand) or Sell.
- Local Freecycle groups.
- Ideas for upcycling old ties.
- Ties made from 100% cotton, hemp or linen can be composted by cutting them into small pieces. Make sure the lining is also made from natural fibres, and remove any tags.
Umbrellas:
- Most umbrellas are made from nylon, metal and and plastic or wood (handles), so they cannot easily be recycled.
- Ideas for upcycling old umbrellas.
Underwear:
Buy New:
- SweetLavendar&ChilliFlakes – hand made underwear for kids & adults (Ireland)
- Sewing Wild Seams – bras/underwear made in Ireland
- Nora and Folds – underwear handmade in Ireland
Disposal:
- They can be composted if they contain only natural fibres such as 100% cotton. A list of natural fibres can be found here. There must be no added synthetic fibres. Cut into very small pieces, removing any trimmings.