WHAT THE HECK IS THE TRASH PILE?

Hi! I'm Taylor, the one-woman show behind this pile of trash :)

I started tie dying more than 15 years ago when I was a sophomore in high school. Over the years I've mostly tie dyed gifts for my family members (mainly my dad, who showed me the ropes). My favorite things to tie dye have always been old t-shirts that I love but that I don't find myself wearing anymore.

Rather than throwing the shirts away, I've always loved breathing new life into them through tie dye, which is where the name The Trash Pile comes from.

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In October 2020, I found myself spending almost every weekend outside rock climbing, and almost every weeknight inside tie dying.

The pandemic had wrought havoc on almost every aspect of my life. I had just received news that I’d be furloughed at the end of the year and started searching for ways to save money. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), my climbing gym membership was one of the first things on the chopping block. I figured I’d pick it back up once things settled back down. In the meantime, I decided to use all my newfound free time to continue my tie dye experiments on weeknights. On the weekends when I went outside to climb, I'd wear that week's experiments.

Every time I showed up at a crag, I got loads of compliments and questions about whatever items I'd tie dyed the week before. 

Requests like "If I send you home with one of my t-shirts, can you do the same thing?" became more and more common.

I finally unfroze my gym membership in March 2021. During those five months I lost all my callouses, a bunch of finger strength, and my abs. But, it was just enough time for the seed I'd planted to put down roots.

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I launched The Trash Pile on Instagram in January 2021. I started selling shirts the following month when my dog, Zaza, came down with a stomach bug and I needed to earn a few bucks to cover the emergency vet bill.

Since then, I've diverted more than 5,000 garments from the landfill. I find most of my inventory at local thrift stores. I also love doing custom tie dye on clothes people like you (yes you!) never wear. One man’s trash truly is this lady’s treasure.

I’m a firm believer that so many cool clothing items already exist—why buy new ones when we can simply upcycle the ones we already own by showing them a little love?

I’m here to show the world’s wardrobe a whole lot of love. I’m happy you’re here too. Join me on my journey to fight fast fashion by buying a shirt, sending in a custom order, or donating your clothing to be tie dyed. 

—Taylor