My mom and I used to have a rule; every time I wanted to buy a new dress or a new top, I would have to donate one item from my closet. It was a good rule that prevented me from hoarding and made me reevaluate the value of the clothes in my wardrobe.
The problem with this rule is that only 10% of the clothing donated makes its way to thrift stores or to people who need it. Most of the clothes donated end up in the landfill or end up in 3rd world countries where they’re sold for double the price (sometimes more).
Here is the problem with why it is so incredibly tricky to rely on clothing donation services to be environmentally and ethically responsible: there’s no accountability.
Let’s put this into perspective; there are many food labels and certifications that have certain requirements that a company must meet in order to place such a label on their product. If you are a consumer shopping for new eggs and find a dozen eggs with a Certified Humane label, then you know that the eggs met a certain level of requirements that makes you comfortable with purchasing the product.
There is no such accountability or transparency when it comes to the clothing donation. That is why it is crucial to arm yourself with the facts and be prepared with alternate ways to get rid of the clothes that you no longer need. This post is dedicated to 3 ways that you can get rid of your clothes and stay environmentally responsible!
First, sell your clothes!
This is more than to make a buck; by selling your clothes, you ensure that someone doesn’t have to go out and purchase a brand-new item. You are reducing the waste in the production, reducing the virgin materials being used, and keeping the clothes in circulation. I love using Poshmark for my normal, everyday clothing and using Tradesy for my designer items. Another amazing way to sell is through Facebook groups! Check out this post if you want a comprehensive list of where you can sell your clothes and make a quick buck!
Second, recycle them through a textile recycler or bring them to a store!
Textile recycling means exactly what it sounds like. You are recycling textiles, which is anything from a top to that old dish rag you use to wipe your kitchen counters. This option is usually trickier because a lot of textile recyclers are industrial-sized and don’t do curbside pick-up. An amazing alternative to combing the internet to find local textile recycling option is to donate them to stores that will recycle for you! Here is a list of 13 companies that will recycle for you (some will even reward you for doing so!).
Third, find a local thrift store or consignment store to donate to. If there are none, then find a reputable clothing donation company such as GoodWill or refashionNYC.
I don’t want the scary facts about clothing donation to put you off donating your clothes. There are a lot of amazing local stores that are super transparent and environmentally responsible. However, it is important to keep in mind the fact that clothes may end up in the landfill or in third world countries that may not have a good recycling system when you’re choosing a donation center. If you live in NYC, I personally love refashionNYC, the official clothing reuse program in partnership with
Ultimately, what is the most environmentally responsible is to ensure that your clothes can be recycled.
Whether you are recycling your clothes yourself or giving them to a company to do so for you, the important thing is that you ARE recycling. Recycling isn’t only for papers and plastics. Textile recycling is just as important!
