Donating clothes to charity not only helps the homeless and the poor — it helps the environment. Sadly, billions of pounds of perfectly recyclable fabrics (such as cotton, polyester, nylon, and rayon, among others) are thrown away every year. Discarded fabrics make up 5% of the total landfill waste in the United States. Unless the public and the government make a concerted effort to reduce this wastefulness, billions of more pounds of fabric will be discarded, never being able to become clothing for the needy and helpless. In 2006, more than 2.5 billion pounds of fabric werekept from landfills by charitable organizations and used-clothing businesses. Though that was a wonderful thing, the fact that so much waste could have been needlessly discarded shows the urgency of used clothing donations.
One way to help on a personal level is by donating rather than throwing out your unwanted and unused clothing. Chances are you have at least some clothing you no longer wear. Pants that no longer fit perhaps? A dress that’s gone out of style? A pair of socks past its prime? All donations, however small, are welcome by charitable organizations across the country. Some organizations go as far as to pick up donations right from one’s front door or curbside! Donating clothes has never been easier!
Charitable clothing donations truly go a long way for the poor and homeless. There are about 600,000 homeless people in the country right now, according to a report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. There are also millions more who do have shelter… but not much else. To donate used clothes is to provide these unfortunate men, women, and children warmth and comfort during a very trying time in their lives. These people are some of the most vulnerable in the U.S. Donating lightly used clothing helps ease the burden.
Donate used clothes to your local charity organization today.
