Old clothing and textiles account for about 5% of all waste in the United States, but this is a completely unnecessary pollutant. Clothing is one of the most easily recycled materials on the planet, and the good news is that there are plenty of charities that accept clothing donations. If they’re not recycled, these clothing donations are used for helping families in need, which in itself is a great reason to donate beyond the environmental benefits.
If you’re not sure how or where to get started donating, here are three clothing drop off locations you may not have known about but are perfect for donating clothing to charity:
- Clothing Drop Boxes: You may have seen these charity clothing drop off locations around town when you’re out and about, but you may not be familiar with how they work. These drop boxes are most often situated in parking lots or on public streets, and they make donating clothing simple. Just drive up and drop off your used clothing donations. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that there are different boxes run by different charities, so before you give, make sure you do a little bit of research.
- Repurposed Buildings: Plenty of people know to donate to their local thrift stores, but they may miss out on charity organizations that run out of some unconventional locations. Many charities now aren’t just reusing and recycling clothing — they’re also repurposing abandoned buildings and giving them new life. For example, the National Association of Convenience Stores reports that there have been more than 50,000 gas stations left abandoned in the U.S. since 1991. But charities today are taking these eyesores and using them for good.
- Your Own Front Door: Not only can you visit the above clothing drop off locations, but you can also have a clothing donation pick up service come right to your house. Many charities operate these services so everyone can donate — from busy families to the elderly and disabled. These beneficial services make donating extra easy, but just make sure to find a great cause to give to before you schedule a pick up.
Have more questions about donating clothing to charity? Leave a comment below.
