Travels with Textiles May 2026

Mending our own clothes, or having it done professionally, is not a token act. It can have a powerful environmental and economic impact. Textile waste is one of the most pressing environmental problems the world faces. Every year we create 150 billion new garments, and every year we discard 92 million tonnes of textiles. The US alone throws away 17 million tonnes of textiles, most of which goes into landfill. The fashion and textile industry is one of the largest single contributors to climate change – accounting for 8-10% of global emissions.   Many of us feel despair in the face of these figures – what can we do about it? But new research about the rise of alteration and mending shops in the UK, points to the beginnings of a culture change. The research tells us that nearly 40% of purchased clothing doesn't fit, but taking it to a local repair shop can make it wearable and much less likely to be discarded. If we mend our garments and extend their life by just nine months it can cut the cost to the environment, by 20-30%, and if we buy vintage or second hand, rather than new, it can be anything up to 70 times better for the environment.   In this month's episode Lisa Macintyre, Associate Professor at Heriot Watt University, in Scotland, and one of the authors of the research, talks to us about the power of repair and alteration, and the impact it can have on reducing textile waste.