Responsible Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Clothing

Periodically purging your closet of unwanted clothing is a necessity. Whether your taste in fashion changes, you grow out of clothing, or you simply run out of closet space, there eventually comes a time when you need to get rid of old attire. When this time comes, however, many people choose to simply throw away their old clothing. Doing so harms the environment and increases the number of landfills on our planet. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to this wasteful practice. Below, you’ll find some of the most responsible ways to get rid of unwanted clothing.

Donate

One of the most ethical ways to get rid of your unwanted clothing is to donate it. Donating your clothing allows you to preserve the environment while helping people in need. Examples of organizations that accept clothing donations include Goodwill, the Salvation Army, Green Drop, and Soles4Souls.

Sell your clothing

To preserve the environment and make some money at the same time, consider selling your unwanted clothing. Local thrift stores and consignment stores are great options for selling your clothing. You could also go digital and try selling your clothing online through sites such as thredUp, Poshmark, eBay, or Tradesy. To sell clothing on these sites, all you must do is upload some pictures of your clothing, set your prices, and wait for someone to purchase them. It’s that easy.

Host a clothing swap

If you have a few friends who are also looking to revamp their wardrobes, try hosting a clothing swap. Clothing swaps are great options for people who want to get rid of clothing that’s still in good condition. To host a clothing swap, just invite over a few friends who are roughly the same clothing size as you and begin exchanging your unwanted clothing.

Recycle

If your clothing is no longer wearable due to significant rips, tears, or stains, recycling is a sustainable option for getting rid of it. Recycling textiles rather than throwing them away has several benefits, such as reducing landfills and conserving energy and resources. To recycle your unwanted clothing, don’t just toss it in your curbside bin. You must take textiles to specialized centers dedicated to recycling such materials. Examples of organizations that recycle textiles include GemText, H&M, Planet Aid, USAgain, and Earth911.