what to do with clothes you can t donate

20 Things You Can Do With Old Clothes That You Can’t Donate

1. Drop them off at an animal rescue. Animal shelters are always in need of old garments, fabrics, blankets and even...
2. Compost Natural Fabrics. Composting means turning organic materials into a matter that feeds back the environment. In...
3. Reusable Tote Bags. Have t-shirts with too many coffee and wine...

Full Answer

Should you sell or donate your old clothes?

Dec 22, 2020 · 20 Things You Can Do With Old Clothes That You Can’t Donate 1. Drop them off at an animal rescue. Animal shelters are always in need of old garments, fabrics, blankets and even... 2. Compost Natural Fabrics. Composting means turning organic materials into a matter that feeds back the environment. ...

What are the best places to donate used clothes?

20 Things You Can Do With Old Clothes That You Can’t Donate Drop them off at an animal rescue. Compost Natural Fabrics. Reusable Tote Bags. Apparel Recycling Programmes. Art Refresh Old Clothes. Kids Dress-Up Box. Garage Sales. Clothing Swap Party.

Where to recycle and donate your old clothes?

Mar 02, 2021 · You may not be able to donate them to used clothing centers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t donate them at all. Call up your local animal shelter and see if they take old clothing donations. Sometimes they will accept old t-shirts or sweatpants to use as warm bedding or something to play with for the shelter cats and dogs.

What charities pick up clothing?

Apr 15, 2019 · Flex those creative muscles and turn your old clothes into artwork. Say there's a pattern on an old shirt that you really like, but can't donate …

How to repurpose old socks?

The fastest way to repurpose old socks is by using them as room air fresheners. Ironic, but stick with me. You can fill them up with whatever scent makes your day, be it vanilla or potpourri. Once you close up the ends, just toss them into a corner or into your cabinet of smelly shoes and let it work. 19.

What is compost used for?

The compost is then used to grow fruits, vegetables, and all sorts of plants. If you’re into gardening, this approach of discarding old clothes could be the most environmentally friendly of all. That said, ensure that the clothes you plan to compost are all-natural.

Can you use old fabric for art?

Clothing material can be used in an art and craft project. And the good news is that they don’t have to be in the best conditions. If you are crafty of know an artisan that will be interested in your old fabric, you can donate them to art instead of disposing of them in your trash.

Can you compost cotton?

Your used clothes can also be included in a compost bin to turn them into manure for plants. But you need to know that you can only compost fabrics made from cotton. Other types of synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and the rest can’t be composted. You can only compost natural fabrics and should remove buttons and zippers before tossing them into the compost bin.

Is it a good idea to recycle clothes?

It is a good idea to recycle used clothes instead of dumping them in landfills or burning them out in the open. But the challenge still remains that the textile recycling industry is still not fully functional. Manufacturers obviously don’t see the need to encourage the use of old textiles in their industries.

Why can't I donate clothes?

Thankfully there are other things to do with clothes you can't donate because they're not in good enough condition to give away. There's always a solution to a problem, and a place for your favorite boy band t-shirt. Old or unwanted clothing, it turns out, is also an environmental threat, just like plastic.

How many tons of textiles were in landfills in 2015?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that in 2015 landfills received up to 10.5 million tons of textiles. If your jaw has appropriately dropped and your tree hugging heart has been crushed under the weight of this number, know there are ways to prevent this!

Can you compost old clothes?

According to Recyclebank, you can compost old clothes that you can't donate. However, this is only exclusive to cotton. Your dad's polyester suit from the '70s won't be able to be processed. According to Recyclebank, "Cotton and other natural-fiber clothing can even be composted as long as they are not blended with synthetic fibers like polyester; make sure to shred it finely and remove attachments like zippers and buttons."

Can you donate clothes to H&M?

Give Your Clothes To H&M. Giphy. Eliminate "can't" from your vocabulary. Actually, you can donate your worn out clothing. Kind of. Clothing retailer H&M has joined the zero waste mission. According to their website you can donate textiles from any brand, in any condition and they'll take care of the rest.

Can you donate old socks?

You may not be able to donate all your old and odd socks, but you can recycle them. You can recycle most textiles your closet doesn't have space for anymore or your socks don't have a pair for. Going through companies like American Textile Recycling Service, you can hand over your worn out clothing responsibly.

Why can't I donate clothes?

There are actually quite a few reasons that clothing may not be accepted for donation. The most common reasons are stains, holes, or excessive stretching. If you want to donate clothing that your kid has outgrown, they may have tried to stretch them a bit too much, causing pants and shirts to start ripping apart at the seams.

How to avoid throwing away clothes?

To avoid having to throw away clothing in general, buy more sustainable, natural clothing pieces in the first place. With natural fibers, you can be sure that your garment will last longer than a cheaper item of clothing that will wear out and break down faster.

What to do with old t-shirts?

If your child is involved in theatre, choir, dance, or sports, they may have amassed quite a few t-shirts from events or shows. To keep those memories alive while preventing waste, cut out the center of their favorite t-shirts and sew them all together in a nice quilt that they can put on their bed to remember those happy memories.

How does fast fashion affect the environment?

From creation to waste, fast fashion releases a lot of carbon emissions and pollutants into the air. In its production, fast fashion emits far more carbon per item versus more ethically manufactured garments. When this clothing breaks down in the huge landfills it occupies, it actually releases toxic gases into the atmosphere.

Can you throw cotton in compost?

If you have 100% cotton pieces, you can actually throw them in your compost pile. Composting is a great habit to get into, and it can make the plants in your garden grow strong and thrive. If you do decide to compost your fabric, make absolutely sure it’s cotton since anything made with oils or synthetics can ruin the delicate ecosystem of your compost pile. Then tear it up into small pieces so that it doesn’t take forever to compost.

Can you recycle old clothes?

If you’ve done all of the above crafts and still find yourself with too many old clothes that you have nothing to do with, you can always just recycle them. This may be news to you, as many of us think of recycling in terms of things like paper and metal cans.

Do you need to keep old jeans around?

We all know (or are) a seamstress. If you have old jeans or clothing made out of interesting or unique fabric, you should consider keeping it around just for the fabric. You never know when you’ll need some scraps to patch up holes or add an accent trim to a piece. This also can save you money on buying new fabric for small projects.

How to turn old clothes into art?

Flex those creative muscles and turn your old clothes into artwork. Say there's a pattern on an old shirt that you really like, but can't donate because it's ripped or stained. Cut the pattern out and frame it or stretch it on a canvas. Or sew it on a cushion cover for your mum's birthday.

Does H&M recycle clothes?

Camille says for the most part, H&M are recycling the clothes donated in their bins into new materials for other industries. "Some are going to insulation, where it's shredded and used as insulators," she said.

Can you donate old socks?

If the answer is yes, then you could go right ahead and donate. If the answer is no, it's probably not going to be worn by someone else just because you threw it in the donation bin. Old socks and undies are probably in the "no" category.

Why can't I play games?

Games that can’t be played because of broken/missing pieces are wasting space. Coloring books or workbooks that are already written in aren’t attractive to children. Again, the goal is to be a blessing to others when you donate. You want to give things that children can enjoy and support a charitable organization.

How much does a coffee mug cost?

Coffee mugs are found as low as a nickel a piece, but generally cost around 50 cents. A store would have to sell 60 of those at 50 cents (600 at a nickel) just to break even for the cost to get dirty coffee mugs to the floor. That doesn’t include the cost for the worker who rings than up at the register.

Can you donate magazines to thrift stores?

Magazines should be donated, but not to thrift stores. Take them to your local library instead. Many have a place for free magazines which their patrons enjoy. Thrift stores, however, cannot sell magazines. They are easily ripped and torn and can make a real mess. If they fall on the floor, someone can slip on them. Take your magazines somewhere they can be better appreciated. Sometimes, it’s all about donating to the right organization.

Do thrift stores have washers?

Most thrift stores are not equipped with washers and dryers. However clothing comes into the store is how it is going to be sold. As such, no one is going to buy clothing that is dirty, ripped, smelly, stained, or especially wrinkly.

What can I use rags for?

I also like to use rags for cleaning really gross stuff, like bathtubs, showers, flowers, or toilets.

What do domestic violence victims need to escape?

These centers usually accept clothing (often new only) and also need menstrual products, shampoo, deodorant, and other personal care items.

How much does For Days take back bags?

For Days has a $6-20 take back bags (affiliate link), depending on the size. For Days is a circular sustainable brand that makes sure the clothes won’t get thrown away. All brands of clothing are welcome.

Is Goodwill a good place to donate clothes?

For Americans, Goodwill is the go-to place to donate clothing. Goodwill is a non-profit that provides job training and generally affordable clothing. While it has a good mission, the organization doesn’t always live up to its name. If you’re hoping to avoid Goodwill, or wondering if your donations will go further elsewhere, here are some alternative places to donate.

Does Madewell recycle jeans?

Madewell jeans recycling. Madewell is not the most sustainable or transparent brand, but they do have a denim recycling program that turns old jeans into housing insulation. 6. Facebook groups. If you have ratty but clean clothing, some local artists may be interested in using the textiles for their work.

Why do refugees leave their lives?

Refugees often leave their lives and belongings behind to escape violence in their countries. These organizations not only provide free clothing to refugees, but also often food, shelter, medical care, legal services, and career advising.

What is the Buy Nothing Project?

The Buy Nothing Project has Facebook groups across the world. You join the group of your local area so you can give (and receive) right in your community. The group locations are super specific, and may cities are split up into multiple groups. You can only join the one where you live.