When you have too many clothes, your first thought may be to throw them out. After all, who would want your old jeans? Even while you no longer want old clothes, you can give them new life by donating rather than making more trash in the landfill. However, it is important to understand why you should donate clothing and it will make meaningful long-term change in your life and the lives of those around you.
As you clean out your closet, your child’s chest of drawers, and that closet with random winter accessories, you will come upon a few items that you no longer need or want. Rather than throwing these items into the trash, and ultimately the landfill, you can take the gently used items to a local charity or thrift shop. As long as your items are clean, have all necessary pieces and parts, and can easily be used by another person, you consider donating them rather than putting them in the bin.
When you donate clothing to be used in your local community, you are doing much more than decluttering your home. You are making low-cost clothing available to low-income families. This means that they do not have to worry about whether their children will have new school clothes or if they can replace their family’s old winter coats. When you donate clothing, it makes it much more accessible to those that can’t quite reach the price points of department stores. Thrift stores also help make furniture, small appliances, and home goods more accessible.
As mentioned, throwing your clothing away is only going to create a burden on the environment. Among learning about the importance of clothing donation, understand that you are putting your clothing back into the world to be used by others. Rather than creating more trash, more methane into the air, you create a gentler carbon footprint that is beneficial to your community. Items that are often accepted as donations such as clothing, shoes, bedding, small appliances, books, CDs, dishware, home decor, and more.
When you are ready to donate your gently used items, you can choose donation pick up or drop off the items at your local thrift shop. However they are delivered, these items are better off finding a new life with someone else. Check around in your local community and speak to thrift shops and charitable organizations to understand how to best help your community.
