Every year, the average American gets rid of more than 80 pounds worth of Clothing. And unfortunately, the majority of it ends up getting tossed out in the trash.
The next time you decide you’re going to clean your closets and drawers, Donate your old Clothes rather than sticking them on the curb on garbage day. You can donate clothes—both new and used—to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or any number of other charitable organizations.
There are a variety of reasons why you should donate your old clothes as opposed to disposing of them in the trash. Check out the six best reasons to do it below.
1. Provides Clothing for People in Need
According to a 2018 report, more than 50 million American households don’t bring in enough money every month to afford the most basic living expenses. This includes things like housing, transportation, childcare, and, yes, clothing.
When you donate your shirts, pants, shoes, and other clothing to an organization like Goodwill, you’ll make it possible for some of the people living in these households to buy clothing. Goodwill sells most of the clothes donated to them at a very deep discount, thus making it more affordable for those who need it most.
Goodwill also takes about 80% of the profits generated by the clothes they sell and invests it into community programs benefitting those with disabilities. This should make you feel good about donating your new or used clothing.
2. Gets Clothing to People Involved in Natural Disasters
There are more than 100 natural disasters that take place in the U.S. every year. From hurricanes and floods to earthquakes and tornadoes, these natural disasters often displace people and leave them without basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing.
Some organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA, ask people to make monetary donations to help victims of natural disasters. But others like The Salvation Army prefer to see people donate things like clothing.
The Salvation Army will often put out an open call for clothing in the aftermath of a natural disaster and work to deliver donated clothes directly to natural disaster victims. You’ll feel like you’re making a real difference when you donate your old clothes for this kind of cause.
3. Funds a Bunch of Other Good Causes
Goodwill and The Salvation Army are two of the most popular organizations for those looking to donate old clothes. But it’s worth noting that they are not the only organizations you can turn to when you want to make a clothing donation.
There are lots of other organizations that accept clothing donations and use them to fund good causes. Vietnam Veterans of America, or VVA, is one good example of an organization that uses clothing donations in this way.
When you donate your old clothes to the VVA, they’ll take them and sell them in thrift stores. They’ll then take their profits and use them to provide services for veterans throughout the country.
The VVA is able to extend medical treatments, counseling sessions, and so much more to vets. And they’re just one example of an organization that turns donated clothing into cash and uses it to fund a good cause.
4. Helps Foundations Fight Different Diseases
The National Kidney Foundation works very hard to educate Americans about kidney disease. They also fund a lot of research on chronic kidney disease and strive to help find better treatment options for those suffering from it.
They wouldn’t be able to do it without the generous clothing donations made by people throughout America. The NKF can arrange to pick up clothing donations right at your front door so that they can sell them and generate the profits they need to fight kidney disease.
If you’re passionate about eradicating a specific disease, search for an organization that specializes in funding programs related to that disease. There is a good chance you can find one that would love for you to donate your old clothes to them.
5. Works Wonders for the Environment
Americans are responsible for sending more than 20 billion pounds of textile waste to landfills each and every year. Much of this waste consists of old clothing.
Some of this clothing can sit in a landfill for more than 200 years before it eventually decomposes. And when clothes decompose, they’re known to emit methane, which is a dangerous greenhouse gas that is terrible for the environment.
At this point, it’s pretty much impossible for Americans to keep all old clothing out of landfills. But they can reduce the amount of textile waste making it to landfills and stop clothing from flooding them.
6. Makes It Easier to Keep Your Home Organized
Donating your old clothes will give you more than just a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. You’re also going to benefit from it in a big way when it comes to home organization.
By donating clothes that you don’t want or need anymore, you can free up room in closets, drawers, and storage areas throughout your house. It’ll help you organize your clothes and accessories better and make it much easier to find things when you need them.
Surveys have shown that over 80% of homeowners worry that their houses aren’t organized enough. That won’t be an issue for you anymore once your old clothes are cleared out.
Donate Your Old Clothes Today and Feel Good About Doing It
Would you like to donate your old clothes and reap the rewards that come along with doing it?
Some organizations like Goodwill allow you to drop clothing donations off right at their physical locations. Others, like Vietnam Veterans of America, will schedule a pickup at your home.
Generally speaking, you’re free to donate any clothing that you want as long as it’s in decent condition. Anything that’s new or used and free from stains, tears, and other major imperfections can and should be donated.
Once you’ve donated all that you can, you’ll notice a big difference in the way your home looks and feels. It’ll be so much more organized. And you can take your organization to the next level by creating custom closets that help you make the most of your newfound space.
Contact us today to learn more about the custom closets that we can design for your home.
The post 6 Reasons Why You Should Donate Your Old Clothes appeared first on 180 Closet Design.
