Cleaning out your closet? Check out this post for all the best ways to get rid of old clothes sustainably.
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When cleaning out your closet, it’s important to consider what happens to the items you are getting rid of. I recently read that, on average, people in the United States get rid of nearly 100 lbs of textiles a year.
Our society pushes us to get rid of old clothes without a second thought about where they go. In this post, I will be sharing how to get rid of old clothes sustainably.
Check out this post for my closet cleanout checklist that will help you be more intentional when cleaning out your closet: The Ultimate Cleaning Out Closet Checklist
How to get rid of old clothes sustainably:
Give them another chance
Before you decide to let the piece go, try to style it at least one more time. I find that a lot of the time, how I feel about an item has more to do with how I style it, and sometimes, it takes time to be able to style something successfully.
So really challenge yourself to style the piece in a way you would actually wear it. My biggest tip for styling a piece that doesn’t feel like you is to pair it with something you love and/or a contrasting piece that balances out whatever element you aren’t loving. For example, if something is too preppy, add an edgy element.
Take them to a clothing swap
Have you ever been to a clothing swap? It’s an event where people bring clothes they no longer want and in exchange, can take anything they like. It depends on who puts on the event, but the clothing swap I attended was free with a suggestion to donate to a local organization, and you could take as much as you want. Usually, if the clothing isn’t claimed, it’s donated to a local cause or thrift store.
If you live in the Dayton area, keep an eye out for the clothing swap hosted by Reduce Reuse Refillery. And if you’ve never visited this shop – I highly recommend checking it out. They have a huge variety of toiletries and household items available. You can bring your own reusable bottles or purchase some there to refill while reducing your plastic waste.
If you’re not sure how to find a clothing swap in your area, check local Facebook groups, sustainability organizations or community facilities.
Re-sell online
Try selling the clothes you no longer want on re-selling platforms such as Poshmark, eBay, Depop, Curtsy and Mercari, or in local Facebook groups. By selling your clothes directly, you know that you are extending their lifecycle. Plus, you’re probably getting the most out of your original investment on the item. Meaning it’s both sustainable and profitable.
Donate to a need-based organization
If you want to know that your clothes are going to a good cause, look for need-based organizations in your area.
I volunteer for an organization called Clothes That Work. We accept work-appropriate attire and give it to clients in need of interview or workwear, or sell it in the corresponding boutique that supports the mission.
Give it to a clothing recycling facility
Depending on where you are located, there may be drop-off bins at local grocery stores and strip malls for textile recycling companies. These companies will either sell your clothing to re-sellers or recycle anything that is unusable.
If you don’t have any bins like this in your area, you can send items to a company called For Days. It does cost $20 to purchase a For Days Take Back Bag, but you get a $20 credit to their site for every bag you send back. And you can rest assured that your clothing’s lifecycle is being extended.
Give it to a friend
Another great option if you want to extend your clothing’s lifecycle is to give it to a friend or family member. Bonus points if they are able to try the pieces on in person and know they will work.
Take to a buy-sell-trade store
Taking items to a buy-sell-trade store, such as Plato’s Closet, Uptown Cheapskate, Clothes Mentor or Buffalo Exchange, can be a great option if you are looking to get a little profit from your items without having to put in much effort.
One thing about taking clothes to a store like this is that you don’t always know what will happen to the clothes that don’t sell. Many second-hand and consignment stores will work with companies that take unwanted inventory and re-sell it, but you can’t know for sure unless you ask your local stores what they do with unsold or unclaimed inventory.
Donate to a local thrift store
Donating to a local thrift store is another good option for a way to get rid of old clothes sustainably. Plus, it’s a tax write-off.
I hold the same concerns about what these stores do with unsold clothing. But with so many options out there these days, I have hope that they are being responsible with excess inventory.