Did you know that, each year, Americans throw away up to 12 to 13 million tons of textiles and clothing? It’s a particularly sobering number to consider when you realize that 99% of those clothes can be reused or recycled. Before you throw out your old clothes, you might want to know that there are plenty of charities happy to pick up clothing donations, and the benefits are numerous.
1. Donated Clothes Can Directly Help People
Clothing donations can help people both directly and indirectly. Some charities take donations of clothing and sell them, with the money helping disabled veterans, families in need, or other individuals who deeply appreciate it. Others have been known to repurpose that clothing or even offer it to those they are assisting.
2. Charitable Donations Can Help The Environment
Donating clothes to charity is in fact another way of “going green”. Clothes that are thrown out contribute to pollution and landfill waste. Charity organizations, their many other benefits aside, can be seen as a way of recycling. There’s no point in letting clothes that could be worn or repurposed go to waste.
3. People Can Pick Up Clothing Donations For You
It’s understandable that busy professionals might think that they don’t have the time to drop their clothes off at charity drop of locations. Luckily, many charities have started services that will pick up clothing donations. Knowing that someone will pick up clothing donations for you … and make sure that they end up in the right hands … is reassuring, and leaves you knowing that you’re working with a professional organization.
4. Donating To Charity Can Lower Your Tax Bill
Feelings of accomplishment aside, donating to charitable organizations can leave you with a more physical reward as well. When donated to a qualified organization, your clothing donation may help lower your tax bill. This way, you end up helping yourself while you help others!
5. Your Clothes Assist More Than Those Aided By Charities
Most charities have a target group that their funds and donations aid, like underprivileged children, veterans, or disabled persons. However, those who shop at charity stores come from many different backgrounds, with some being unable to afford clothes at full price. The clothes that you don’t want anymore may be highly valued by the next person wearing them.
The rewards that come with donating to charity are too numerous to list. Even dismissing all of the above, many report that donating to charity lifts their spirits and makes them feel better about themselves. At the very least, you know that you’re contributing to a good cause and doing something positive with things that may no longer hold meaning for you.
