It’s no secret that Americans are shopaholics, but the toll that takes on the environment is serious. Each year, there are about 12 to 13 million tons of clothing dumped into landfills, and around 99% of them could have been used again and given to charity instead. For those who like to keep up with the latest trends, it can be easy to want to toss clothing out once it’s no longer fashionable, but there are better ways to reuse it — like donating it to a local charity.
If you’re a fashionista who’s having trouble figuring out how to begin donating clothing to charity, look no further. Use these three helpful tips to rid your closet of last year’s trends and give them a good home:
This year’s spring cleaning is the perfect time to get rid of last year’s spring trends.
That sequined crop top you bought last year may have been a wardrobe staple for you when it was new, but if it’s looking a little tired, it may be time to give it away. Donating clothing to charity can be made even easier if you use the hanger trick. At the beginning of the year (or any time, really), flip all of your clothing hangers backwards on the railing, and turn them around once you’ve worn an item. When a year goes by, see which hangers have been left backwards. That means you haven’t worn a particular garment for 12 months or longer. If you have anything left, donate it to charity.
If you (don’t) love it, let it go.
One woman’s trash may be another’s treasure. If you’re not so in love with that pencil skirt or those designer knockoff heels you bought a few months ago, it’s entirely possible that someone else could like it. The nice thing about clothing is that it’s so easily recyclable, so it’s easy to give garments a new home. Think about wardrobe staples: what do you need to use on a regular basis? Which items no longer fit your lifestyle, either for work or for fun? If you’re still holding onto the same clothes you’ve had since high school, and your 10-year reunion is approaching (or has already passed), then it may be time to part with it.
Help other women when you help yourself.
Let’s face it — your wardrobe may have some great finds in it. Even though you may not want or need to keep them around anymore, you’ll still want to ensure that they head to a great home. Now is the perfect time to find out which women in your area need the most help. Donating clothing to charity doesn’t simply mean having to drop a bag of clothing off at the doorsteps of local charity foundations. Research charities that help women and children in your area to find out more about helping families in need. You may even find a new cause to support in the process.
Have more questions about giving your gently used clothing donations to charity? Leave a comment below.
