Billions of Hangers: Fashion’s Hidden Plastic Mountain
An in-depth look at the staggering environmental toll of discarded hangers and how innovative changes in fashion and retail can shift the narrative toward sustainability.
Each year, apparel retailers across the globe contribute to a quietly mounting environmental crisis—billions of discarded clothing hangers. These small, everyday objects accumulate into incredible volumes that can fill the Empire State Building multiple times over, representing a largely overlooked but significant strain on our planet’s health. This article explores the sheer scale of hanger waste generated by the fashion industry, its environmental consequences, the underlying consumer habits and retail practices, and actionable solutions for a more sustainable future.
The Vast Scale of Hanger Waste
The unassuming clothing hanger, a staple in every closet, exemplifies the enormous waste created by the retail industry’s reliance on disposable products. Retailers often discard hangers after garments are sold, resulting in drastic accumulation:
- 85% of plastic hangers eventually end up in landfills—an estimated 34 billion hangers annually, enough to fill the Empire State Building several times over .
- By 2050, projections suggest 12 billion metric tons of plastic will be in landfills, a weight 35,000 times heavier than the Empire State Building itself .
- Most hangers, comprised of mixed plastics or coated metal, are problematic or impossible for standard recycling systems to manage .
A single year’s worth of hanger waste dwarfs other forms of retail pollution and illustrates the urgent need for systemic change in how retailers manage these accessories.
Why Conventional Hangers Are an Environmental Threat
Conventional hangers are typically manufactured from virgin plastic, lightweight metals, or a combination of plastics and coatings. Most retail stores discard hangers after a garment is sold and fail to reuse or recycle them due to logistical and material challenges. This leads to:
- Landfill overflow: Hangers are bulky and rarely recycled, occupying valuable landfill space and contributing to plastic pollution .
- Methane emissions: In landfill conditions, synthetic materials break down anaerobically, though very slowly, releasing potent greenhouse gases such as methane .
- Long decomposition time: Additives in plastics extend the lifespan of hangers so they persist for centuries in the environment .
A Hidden Cost: Retailers Paying to Pollute
The environmental toll is compounded by direct economic costs for retailers, who must purchase, ship, and then dispose of millions of hangers each year. Retailers often:
- Pay for hangers only to discard them after one-time use.
- Incur additional costs for landfill disposal, waste management, or incineration.
- Face increasing regulatory scrutiny and potential PR backlash for non-sustainable practices .
The Challenge of Recycling Hangers
Plastic hangers are rarely accepted by curbside recycling programs due to their material complexity. Most include mixed plastics (often plastics #6 and #7), and many recycling facilities are unable to separate these materials effectively:
- Mixed and contaminated plastics cause machinery hazards in recycling plants.
- Less than 9% of all plastics are recycled overall; hanger plastics are unlikely to make up that percentage .
- The bulk of rejected plastic ends up either in landfills or, unfortunately, as litter in natural ecosystems.
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Thus, despite being technically recyclable in theory, most hangers are not recycled in practice due to infrastructure and economic limitations.
Plastics and Hangars: By the Numbers
| Year | Plastic Produced Globally | Estimated Hanger Disposal | Empire State Buildings Filled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2.3 million tons | Unknown | N/A |
| 2015 | 448 million tons | 34 billion hangers (annual) | ~20 per year |
| 2050 (projected) | ~900 million tons | 12 billion metric tons (plastic in landfills) | 35,000x Empire State Building |
Younger Consumers Driving Sustainability Demands
Modern consumers, especially younger generations, increasingly expect fashion retailers to adopt sustainable practices. Key trends:
- Heightened awareness of corporate environmental responsibility in purchasing decisions .
- Willingness to pay up to 60% more for eco-friendly products.
- Preference for brands that reuse, recycle, or use sustainable materials for accessories such as hangers.
This shift in consumer demand is prompting retailers to explore new solutions and innovate beyond conventional single-use plastic accessories.
The Global Impact of Textile and Accessory Waste
The problem extends well beyond hangers. Apparel-related waste encompasses discarded textiles, packaging, and shipping materials that further exacerbate environmental pressures:
- Textile waste is often exported to developing nations, perpetuating environmental and social harm—a phenomenon known as waste colonialism .
- Textile decomposition produces methane in landfills, contributing significantly to global warming.
- Incineration releases toxins, risking the health of vulnerable communities.
Concerted action is needed to address textile and hanger waste domestically, rather than simply shifting problems overseas.
Sustainable Solutions: Rethinking the Humble Hanger
In response to regulatory pressure and consumer demand, some retailers are beginning to experiment with sustainable hanger models:
- Reduced-plastic designs: Thinner, lighter hangers made from less virgin plastic, which also help decrease transportation costs and emissions .
- Recycled materials: Hangers manufactured from post-consumer recycled plastic or even upcycled textile waste.
- Alternative materials: Options such as cardboard, bamboo, or wood, which can be composted or recycled more easily.
- Reusable hanger systems: Programs that collect, clean, and reuse hangers—sometimes managed by retailers themselves or via third-party services.
Practical Sustainability Tips for Homes and Retailers
- Opt for hangers made from cardboard, bamboo, or recycled plastic.
- Donate unused hangers to thrift stores, dry cleaners, or community projects.
- Repurpose hangers for home organization, DIY projects, or gardening.
- Contact local recycling facilities to confirm if hangers can be processed (most cannot).
- Request that retailers reuse hangers or offer take-back programs for accessories.
Retailers Leading the Way: Case Studies & Initiatives
Some fashion retailers and global brands are taking concrete steps to decrease accessory waste:
- Implementing UN sustainability initiatives and steadfast carbon emissions targets .
- Deploying transparency campaigns on supply chains and environmental footprints.
- Piloting novel green hanger programs and sharing results with the public.
Retailers that proactively adjust their practices can see cost reductions, improved brand reputation, and positive environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many hangers are thrown away each year?
It’s estimated that about 34 billion plastic hangers are discarded annually by consumers and retailers worldwide, with 85% ending up in landfills .
Why can’t most plastic hangers be recycled?
Most hangers are made with multiple types of plastic or mixed materials, which complicates recycling. Their shape and coatings also cause problems for recycling machines, so facilities refuse to accept them .
What alternatives to plastic hangers exist?
Sustainable options include hangers made from bamboo, cardboard, recycled plastic, or metals that can be more easily recycled or reused. Some retailers use take-back programs for hanger reuse .
How does hanger waste affect climate change?
When discarded in landfills, hangers break down slowly and, together with other synthetic materials, contribute to the release of methane—a potent greenhouse gas .
What can I do with my old hangers?
If recycling is not an option, try reusing or donating hangers, or creatively repurposing them for household storage, crafts, or gardening supports .
Conclusion: Small Steps, Big Impact
While the problem of hanger waste may seem minor compared to larger environmental issues, its accumulated effect surprises by scale—over decades, billions of hangers attest to wasteful practices ingrained in fashion and retail. But with growing consumer awareness and innovative sustainable alternatives, retailers and individuals can help curb this plastic mountain. Every hanger diverted or used more responsibly translates into a measurable reduction of landfill burden and greenhouse gas emissions, marking a step toward a more circular, waste-conscious future in fashion.
References
- https://retailistmag.com/the-environmental-need-for-sustainable-clothing-hangers/
- https://marisahome.com/2021/09/10/what-to-do-with-old-hangers/
- https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2024/07/02/scaling-the-mountains-of-textile-waste-in-new-york-city/
- https://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/2482-01_Malkin.pdf
- https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/building-insights/2022/feature-story/empire-state-building-goes-green
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