Sustainable Ways to Get Rid of Your Clothes

Welcome to another HC Lasell Earth Day theme week! In her article, our President Emalee will be sharing tips on how to sustainability get rid of or change up clothes and not just throw them out! 

1. Donate to GoodWill, Salvation Army, etc.

The easiest solution makes a bag, or two, to bring to a local GoodWill or Salvation Amry. These places also accept books, dishware, home decor, games, basically anything. So it is not just great for a good, old closet cleanout, but a whole-house cleanout!

2. Hand Down to Younger Sibling, Cousin, or Friend

For clothes that do not fit anymore, younger siblings, cousins, or friends, will be so happy to receive new pieces. This also assures that the clothes will be kept in the fashion cycle.

3. Have a Clothing Swap

This can be a super fun activity with friends or family! Have everyone bring a few or more items that they do not want and they have the chance to pick up a few new pieces. Again, assures that the clothes will stay in the fashion cycle.

4. Have a Clothing Drive on Campus

This can be a COVID-friendly activity by just setting up drop-off boxes for students to leave clothes at for about a week. A great idea would bring these clothes to a place that gives the clothes either to the homeless or low-income families. It will feel great giving back to the community and helping out the environment.

5. Sell Clothes on an App

There are so many different apps like Poshmark, LetGo, the Facebook marketplace where sellers can make a decent amount of money back in the clothes they are selling. Some people even now just make their own Instagram pages to sell their clothes and ship them or say local sales only. It is a great way to promote thrifting and make a little cash on the side.

6. Recycle Clothes at a Store

Some stores such as Patagonia and H&M now let shoppers bring in clothes to be recycled and made into something new! At H&M it can even be non-H&M clothing. These can even be worn-out clothes, not in good enough shape for donating.

7. Mend Clothes into New Clothes

There are so many different DIYs to now do with clothes and so many Youtube video tutorials now for ways to switch up clothing. Tie-dying, bleaching, cropping, and embroidering. There are so many ways to be creative and turn an old piece of clothing into something new and exciting. 

8. Repurpose Clothes

Old and worn-out clothes, that are not in great shape can be repurposed. Old Socks could become cleaning rags, old jeans could become a reusable bag, once again there are so many different Youtube videos with creative ideas. This is definitely a better option than having your clothes go to the landfill.

Hope these tips help and give new ideas on how to get rid of your clothes or change them up in a more sustainable way!