While "fast fashion" can be cheap and trendy, the toll it takes on the environment is steep.

Every ton of fabric used to make jeans or cotton t-shirts requires 200 tons of water and lots of chemicals.

Popular synthetic fabrics like polyester are also manufactured from nonrenewable, fossil fuel-derived materials.

We then toss resource-intensive clothing after just a few wears. In 2015, Americans threw out 16 million tons of textiles.

So if you’re revamping your wardrobe, here’s how to do so while creating as little waste as possible.

Host a clothing swap! It’s a great, low-waste way to try new outfits and send your old stuff to a loving home.

If you have items left over, make sure they go where they'll do the most good.

Do some research to find a list of organizations and stores that accept clothing donations in your area.

And repurpose worn out items! From turning an old t-shirt into a rag or a tote bag, the possibilities are endless.

Support the circular economy by thrifting or buying vintage whenever you do want to go shopping.

Together, these tips will help you think twice before needlessly tossing your clothes–

and the energy, water and materials that went into producing them–straight into the trash!