Do you want to donate clothes? You’re making the most important first step to helping out your community, your environment and your country’s economic future.
That sounds like a pretty tall order for some worn-out jeans you no longer wear, but the fact of the matter is that charitable clothing donations go a very long way. Textile waste is one of the most widespread and rampant drains on the planet as we know it, with Americans alone sending an average of 10 million tons of clothing to landfills every single year. When most of this can be easily repurposed and put back into the economy as useful materials (which is nothing to say of thrift shops that could use more products), there’s no reason not to put a charitable donation on your to-do list this year.
Before you donate clothes, check out these useful tips…
Do You Live In A One To Two Season Climate?
The more extreme your climate, the more limited your wardrobe. Those that live in the far East or the far West are more consistently exposed to certain kinds of weather, making it easy to determine which clothes you just don’t need anymore. Thrift stores and charity organizations take all kinds of clothing articles, from scarves to jackets to outdated t-shirts. If you’re only going to wear that hat or pair of gloves two times in a year? Consider helping military families and sending them to your local Purple Heart pick up.
Have You Worn Those Clothes In The Past Six Months?
Similar to the first tip, determining just how often you wear that sweater or throw on those jeans will make or break whether it stays in your closet. The average American today buys at least twice as many pieces of clothing as they did 20 years ago, according to recent estimates, and it’s thought that same American will throw away nearly 70 pounds of clothing and linen throughout the year. When nearly 100% of household textiles and clothing can be recycled, asking this simple question will do everyone a lot of good.
Do Your Clothes Fit Anymore?
Humans are dynamic creatures. We’re always shifting, changing and adapting over the years. Why should your clothes remain the same? Clothes that are too tight, too saggy or ride up will only prove an annoying addition to your closet, so consider turning that frustration into a reason to donate clothes. Skinny jeans are a popular fashion item, but are rather notorious for being very unwelcome toward physical changes. Keep in mind that your local clothing donations can go toward thrift shop discounts and tax write-offs, meaning you can replace your lost clothes with some brand new or gently worn replacements!
Are You Eager To Save Money?
Let’s explore this in further detail. Donations to Purple Heart or your local charities can be used as a tax write-off, saving you a little green once spring comes around. Men’s overcoats and suits are in high demand and can be worth as much as $60 as a tax write-off, though any hefty donation can be put toward your future savings. Make sure to keep your receipt so you can keep your final deduction as accurate as possible. The IRS also requires a qualified appraisal to be submitted alongside your return if you donate clothing that is not in good used condition.
Do You Want To Do Some Good?
Let’s face it. 2017 has been a rough year. When you donate clothes you spread the word that everyday good comes from everyday people. A recent study saw the vast majority of social media users at 70% admitting they would take some kind of action in response to a friend or acquaintance sharing a story about a charitable donation, so snap some photos and log into your account once you’re done visiting Purple Heart. You could spur countless others into donating their clothes, keeping clothes out of landfills and putting perfectly good materials back into the economy. In 2006 over two billion pounds of fabric were recycled.
Let’s see if we can do better!
