I heard that when you donate clothes...?

Question

..to places (like salvation Army, Goodwill), that most of them arent re-sold or handed out...that they are recycled in to new thread for new clothes...have you heard this and is it true?

I saw this an a reputable newscast in my area.

This definetly makes me re-think donating my clothes to a good cause...i ust want to hand them down to a family friend or something now.

What do you know?

I know for a fact that this is done...http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=19087...this article is about the ABC newscast that was aired a few weeks ago.

I just want to know if anyone knows anything else about this?

Answer 1

If you donate clothes and you want them to remain with people in need in your own community, I would recommend taking it to a specifically local charity or cause (like a women's shelter or a church group or a school). Or if you want it to go to a specific country for a specific purpose, look for an agency that is accepting items for that cause. (Like for tsunami victims or Hurricane Katrina survivors)

Goodwill bundles the majority of it's donated clothes and sends it off to places like Africa - people buy the bundles for cheap and resell them on the street for profit. It hurts the possibility of textile industry and other possible businesses because they can get these bundles cheaper than setting up shop and legitimate work. Goodwill actually makes big money to the DISadvantage of many. I was shocked when I found this out.

Answer 2

I volunteered at a non-profit and a minister from the local church told me that many clothing donations end up as rags. But only because people (particularly the older people) donated unusable clothing (like 20-30 years old or very stained, etc.).

A number of people have used the word "good condition" or "wearable". I get the feeling a lot of donations are neither.

If your donation is good quality, this won't happen. I know that the clothes I donate to a local thrift shop in town ends up on their racks, I've seen them there after donating. But this is to a local thrift store that processes everything there onsite and I throw out old, stained clothes.

As a side note, the IRS here in the US actually changed the rules of the write-off value of these types of donations again for 2007. You used to be able to make a donation, get a piece of paper as a receipt and decide for yourself the value of the donation. Not anymore. You will need to have an independent authority value items. I think people were abusing this process (donating 30 year old stained, unwearable clothing) and it may end up hurting the good thrift stores around that are helping.

Answer 3

I think you are missing the point. They were going to be thrown away thus be in a land fill. Now at least you are saving the environment. Some garments aren't really can not be sold. People throw anything to good will for the tax write off. It probably goes to pay for overhead and insurance on employees. I don't think it is really a profit making scheme.

Answer 4

Most places put them on the shelf for sale. If the clothes are to out of date or in bad shape then yes they do get recycled. You don't see the clothes that You donated for sale in the same store that you donated them because the send them to the store that needs that type of clothing.

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Answer 5

you should be more concerned that they are resold. you donate them for a good cause but people take advantage of this and turn it into a business venture. it is actually a booming business here in the Philippines. sold on sidewalks, they sell these clothes to people who are supposed to be getting them for free. although sold at very reasonable price, the thought that they should be given to victims in calamity-stricken places is saddening. but hey, im not complaining, i get to wear branded stuffs for a low price.

im not too sure about the recycling thing because some of these items are very old and the materials are brittle.

Answer 6

I've never heard that before, but since I have seen my brother clothes at the place a couple of weeks later on several occasions, AND the fact that they still have clothes to sell, tells me that seems rather unlikely.

Answer 7

I think that it's more of new clothes as in different clothes (resewn). Because most of the things that people donate aren't very usable. I'm not sure it's the same as using the fabric and making new clothes to be sold at your local mall. =/

Answer 8

That is impossible. Possibly what you heard is that most of the clothes they receive are not in a salable condition (they get a lot of stuff with human excrement on it) and they do recycle but usually it gets turned into filler for pet beds and toys and padding for shoes.

Answer 9

I am not sure about this though can't rule it out. If that really happens then it goes against the spirit of helping out. Perhaps we need to hear from those who do such things and ask them the reason behind it before condemning or judging them adversely. For every action, there may be a reason behind it. If it is true then lets research further and communicate it out. Thanks for bringing this out.

Answer 10

I never heard of this information. Why not, if the material is still in good condition. Just like in some old wedding growns, they can be "re-tailored" to look as good as new.