It’s always a good time of the year to donate to charity.
With the weather getting warmer and new changes coming into your life? Digging around in your closet for some ill-fitting clothes can be both clever and generous. Not only will you be clearing out your home of extra clutter, you can be part of the movement to turn used clothes into a way to support the environment and breathe new life into your community. Purple Heart clothing donations are a great way to dip into charity for the first time or the fifth time, all to create a better world for everyone involved.
Instead of waiting for the holidays to roll around, answer these basic clothing questions to get the most out of your donation.
Did You Know?
Before you start bagging up your Purple Heart clothing donations, take a look at some of these statistics to get a better idea as to where your charitable clothing donations are going to. Back in 2006 over two billion pounds of fabric were kept out of landfills thanks to the tireless efforts of people like yourself donating throughout the year. The total amount given in 2014 reached a staggering $350 billion, a number that will only get higher when you send that unwanted pair of jeans to your nearby charity foundations.
Do You Live In A One-To-Two Season Climate?
Here’s a simple rule-of-thumb to help you figure out which clothes to donate. Living in a one-to-two season climate often means you have a more limited wardrobe. While it can be tempting to hold onto that adorable scarf or cute jacket, choosing clothes that fit your environment will help you save money even as you donate. Today 45% of recycled clothing is worn as secondhand clothing. When you’re feeling attached to that cardigan? Rest easy knowing it’ll be going to a good home.
Have You Worn These Clothes In Six Months Or Less?
Another good rule-of-thumb for your clothing drop off donations is how often you wear them. While this can seem obvious, it requires a little thinking on your end to pull off effectively. Think about how often you wear certain outfits and for what occasions. Today Americans recycle or donate just 15% of their used clothing. Compare this to another study that found out the average American throws away nearly 70 pounds of clothing and linens per year while buying twice as many outfits than a few decades ago.
Are Your Clothes Gently Used?
When you donate to charity it’s important to double-check your clothes for wear and tear. This includes major tears, small tears, burns, smudges and stains. That’s because there are people in your community always on the lookout for affordably priced fashion. Got some clothes that are a little too beat-up for the clothes rack? You can still donate them to be recycled, as nearly 100% of all household textiles (like cotton and spandex) can be reused without a drop in quality. When you’re looking for donations, your clothes can do more good than you realize.
Donating To Your Local Charity
You’ve picked out a few clothes you haven’t worn in months. Your wardrobe is cleaner and more organized for it. You even have a few clothes that are pretty worn out, but would be perfect to recycle and keep far away from landfills. What do you do now? Purple Heart clothing donations can take your unwanted clothes and either sell them at an affordable price or keep them from being wasted. You can even receive a tax write-off for your generous donation (provided you keep your receipt), saving you money next time tax season rolls around.
It’s always a good time to do something nice for your community. What could your Purple Heart clothing donations do to make the world a nicer place?