The second rule is to consider whether the group that’s getting your clothes is likely to ship them overseas (where they might end up in a landfill) or recirculate them locally. If you’d prefer the latter, do some research to find nonprofits in your area that can make use of your stuff. When in doubt, big-name charities like Goodwill, Out of the Closet, and the Salvation Army are usually a good bet. “I think as long as what you’re donating is high quality and is going to an NGO that has ethical practices, then there’s a good chance it’s going to end up somewhere people want it,” says Franklin-Wallis. Since most charities have limited storage space, it’s also good practice to donate stuff that’s in-season and climate-appropriate.
Alternatively, the BuyNothing app offers a high-tech alternative to the perennial curbside “Free Stuff” box. “It’s a much more meaningful experience than just dropping something off anonymously at a charity,” explains Liesl Clark, cofounder of the Buy Nothing Project, a “hyper-local gift economy” dedicated to keeping gently used clothes (along with furniture, housewares, and pretty much anything else) out of the trash. “You’re reducing your wardrobe, but you’re doing it in a way where you’re meeting your neighbors. In this day and age, with everything happening in the news cycle, it’s a means to come together.”
How to Sell Your Clothes
If you’re feeling entrepreneurial, you can also add a “sell” pile to the mix and convert your pre-loved clothes into cold, hard cash. “Reselling is actually the best way to responsibly deal with things you no longer want to wear,” advises Amber McDaniel, the head of content at Sustainable Jungle. “While donating to those in need is wonderful, the trouble is that only 20% of items donated to thrift and charity shops end up finding a second home.”
Conversely, when you sell something, you’re ensuring it finds a new owner while recouping part of your initial investment. Fortunately, we live in something of a golden era for reselling, with standbys like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, and clothing-specific apps like Thredup, Poshmark, and Mercari, offering a wide range of options to help your castoffs find a loving home.
If you’re sitting on a trove of neglected Kapital jeans and Hermès ties, luxury consignment sites like The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective can connect you with fellow hypebeasts on the prowl. “Luxury fashion is made to last but too often incredible pieces end up forgotten in the back of a closet,” says Alex Tudela, the senior lead of men’s fashion at The RealReal. “Consigning ensures those items stay in circulation, giving them a second life with someone who will truly appreciate them. It’s a way to extend the lifespan of well-made fashion, reduce waste, and be part of a more sustainable, circular economy.”
Unlike selling on a peer-to-peer platform, Tudela adds, consignment services like the Real Real handle authentication, pricing, photography, and shipping on your behalf, saving you the hassle of negotiating with buyers and standing in line at the FedEx store.
Other Ways to Clean Out Your Closet
Before you consign that pile of moth-eaten, torn, and otherwise unsellable clothing to garbage island, consider dropping it off at one of a growing number of retailers, including H&M, Madewell, Levi’s, and Nike, that offer in-store recycling programs. Other brands, including Marine Layer and clothing recycling start-up Trashie, will send you a prepaid mailer for your discards, which they’ll duly sort and recycle.
Alternatively, you can introduce yourself to recycling’s craftier, patchwork vest-wearing cousin, upcycling. Whether it’s sewing your favorite old hoody into a dog bed, making a Japanese-style boro coat out of denim scraps, or just using your worn-out cotton tees to buff your car, your castoffs can live on in any number of Pinterest-worthy new ways.
And if you’re not up for a craft project yourself, you might be surprised how easy it is to find someone who is. “I’m a big believer in fixing stuff, and there are all sorts of influencers out there who do amazing tattoo-like embroidery techniques, which can make things look really personalized and interesting,” says Franklin-Wallis. “There are always ways to reuse things, and there are always people out there who are looking for material, and who might be able to repurpose something in a way that you wouldn’t otherwise think of.”
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