This infographic was produced by GOOD with support from H&M
Americans spend billions of dollars on clothing every year. And with each new purchase, season, and fashion trend, space must be found in closets—which usually means the clothes you're tired of are probably headed to the trash. With 13.1 million tons of textiles thrown away in 2010, it's clear that we need to find ways to give old clothes new life, and companies across the world are working to help give customers alternatives to tossing clothes in the trash.
Keeping clothes and textiles out of the landfill has a bigger impact than just offering more clothes at discounted prices in secondhand stores. It takes about 1,500 gallons of water to produce the amount of cotton used in a single pair of jeans—or the equivalent of doing 37 loads of laundry. By turning used textiles into new clothing items, or even products like handbags, washcloths, and home insulation, the water and carbon footprints of fashion production can be reduced. But currently only 20 percent of used clothes and shoes are collected by charities and commercial organizations worldwide, with the rest going to landfill. Take a look at the infographic above to learn more about how you can reuse and recycle your clothing.
Now, you can recycle all your unwanted clothes at any H&M store. Any piece of clothing, from any brand, in any condition is welcome. Learn more here.
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.