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For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temple garments represent a deeply personal and sacred commitment. While the Church provides guidance on how garments should be respectfully retired, many members find the process time-consuming and, at times, difficult to manage — especially when years of garments accumulate.
At the same time, Utah continues to grapple with broader environmental concerns. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, textiles make up a significant portion of landfill waste nationwide, with most discarded clothing and fabrics unable to decompose naturally. These overlapping realities — sacred stewardship and environmental responsibility — have prompted new conversations about how personal practices intersect with sustainability.
One Utah-based startup, Celestial Recycling, is working to address that intersection by offering a private, faith-informed textile recycling service specifically designed for retired temple garments.
From a storage room to a solution
The idea for Celestial Recycling began in a familiar setting for many families: a weekend clean-out.
Founders Ali and Ben Larsen recount discovering several bags of worn temple garments in storage, all needing to be cut and disposed of individually. While following the Church's guidance, they found the process burdensome and were troubled by the amount of textile waste headed for the landfill.
That experience sparked a deeper question: Was there a way to honor the sacred nature of garments while also being better stewards of the earth?
The answer, they found, was not simple. Because temple garments must be retired in specific ways, traditional textile recycling methods were not immediately applicable. The founders spent months researching textile recycling processes, privacy-first handling methods, and environmentally responsible disposal options that could align with the expectations many members hold around dignity, reverence, and discretion.
A private service — not a Church program
Celestial Recycling emphasizes that it is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church. The company is independently owned and operated, and participation is entirely voluntary.
"Our service is meant to support individuals in a way that feels respectful and convenient," the founders say. "We love being members of the Church and wearing garments. This is simply our way of helping others who are looking for an additional option when it comes time to retire them."
The Church continues to provide its own guidance on garment care and disposal, and members are encouraged to follow official instructions as outlined by the Church. Celestial Recycling positions itself as a supplemental, third-party option for those who choose to use it.
How the process works
Celestial Recycling's model centers on privacy and stewardship. Customers receive instructions for preparing garments before shipment. Once received, the garments are handled using a controlled process designed to ensure discretion while allowing recyclable textile components to be diverted from landfills when possible.
Customers send their temple garments to Celestial Recycling in a sealed bag. The bag is never opened again. Its contents, including the temple garments, are finely shredded in a large industrial shredder to pieces no larger than a U.S. quarter. The shredded material is then incinerated at 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit and used as an alternate fuel to power a local cement kiln. The ash remaining from the incineration is then mixed with the cement powder as a binder that is used for local construction projects.
Environmental advocates note that even modest reductions in textile waste can have cumulative benefits, especially in regions with rapidly growing populations like Utah.
Stewardship as a shared value
For many faith-based families, stewardship is not limited to environmental responsibility — it also includes respect for sacred items and personal covenants. Celestial Recycling frames its mission around those shared values, using the phrase "good stewardship" to describe both ecological care and reverent handling.
The company hopes its service can reduce stress for families, particularly older adults, caregivers, and those managing estates, while also contributing to broader sustainability efforts.
Learning more
Celestial Recycling provides detailed information about its process, privacy standards, and frequently asked questions on its website.
To learn more, visit https://www.celestialrecycling.com/.
For inquiries, the company can be contacted directly through the website's contact form.
As conversations around sustainability and sacred responsibility continue to evolve, businesses like Celestial Recycling reflect how individuals are seeking thoughtful solutions that honor both faith and the future.
Disclaimer: Celestial Recycling is an independent, privately owned company. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not endorsed, approved, or sponsored the company or its services. Members are encouraged to follow official Church guidance regarding the care and retirement of temple garments.
