The rest of the 90% of the donated clothing is sold to textile and recycling institutions.
According to various estimates, here's what happens to your clothing giveaways. In most cases, a small amount of the items, the best quality castoffs — less than 10 percent of donations -- are kept by the charitable institutions and sold in their thrift shops to other Americans looking for a bargain. These buyers could be people who are hard up, or they could be folks who like the idea of a good deal on a stylish old item that no longer can be found in regular stores.
The remaining 90 percent or more of what you give away is sold by the charitable institution to textile recycling firms. Bernard Brill, of the Secondary Recycled Textiles Association, told ABC News: "Our industry buys from charitable institutions, hundred of millions of dollars worth of clothing every year."
So, at this point, the charity you have donated clothes to has earned money off of them in two ways — in their shops and by selling to recyclers. Then the recycler kicks into high gear. Most of the clothes are recycled into cleaning cloths and other industrial items, for which the recyclers say they make a modest profit.
2007-01-02 13:51:42 · 6 answers · asked by marnefirstinfantry 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
That is interesting.
I guess that if the charity is using the money that is earned to go towards the charity, that it is ok. Either way, you are still helping people.
I prefer to donate my old, but still nice clothing to churches that accept donations of clothing, furniture, etc. Then, people who are truly in need can go to the church, and get the clothing free of charge. Seems better, as I know that someone who really needs help is getting it.
2007-01-02 14:02:06 · answer #1 · answered by star22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I am not surprised. That is why I donate directly to the needy and not through charities. That way I know the ones in need are getting what I have to give.
2007-01-02 14:00:28 · answer #2 · answered by hopeihelped 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody asked me what I wanted to happen to my clothes when I donated them, I just said goodbye and then went to Marshall Field's to restock.
2007-01-02 14:00:32 · answer #3 · answered by boxersgirlbunny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is very surprising actually... but that makes total sense. Better than the landfills I suppose.
2007-01-02 13:56:28 · answer #4 · answered by wangarific 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Appalling...yet I believe it. That really shouldn't be that surprising.
2007-01-02 14:00:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought so.
2007-01-02 13:59:18 · answer #6 · answered by BarbieQ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋