Spring is the season of fresh starts and lots of cleaning! If you’re like me and recently cleaned out your closet, you probably now have a bunch of old clothes that you’re not quite sure what to do yet. Don’t throw it out—there are many different and sustainable ways to get rid of unwanted clothing.
Donate
This is typically the go-to for getting rid of clothes for most people. Donating clothing isn’t a bad thing! However, there is more to donating than just Goodwill. For example, here in Boston we have Boomerangs, a secondhand clothing and furniture shop whose proceeds go toward AIDS prevention and treatment. Not only are you getting rid of unwanted clutter in your life, but you are helping a good cause!
Resell
Maybe you want to get rid of your ratty old jeans and invest in a higher quality pair that will be more comfortable or last longer. Whatever your reason, reselling clothing is a savvy idea for making some extra money, and it has never been easier! With apps and sites such as Poshmark, Depop, ThredUp, and Ebay, there are many different ways to go about reselling your clothes in a way that’s convenient and manageable to you. If you don’t want to worry about the hassle of shipping stuff out and constantly being on the lookout for buyers, you can hand over some of your nicer clothes to a consignment shop. You won’t have to worry about the hassle of selling it, and you’ll be supporting a local business! That’s a win-win.
Recycle
Sometimes, you can’t always recycle your old clothes. I know most people don’t want used clothes with holes in them! In that case, there are a few eco-friendly alternatives to simply throwing out your run-down clothes.
If you have old jeans, Madewell will collect them and turn them into housing insulation! If you have other clothes that you want to recycle—including undergarments—try looking for a textile recycling location near you. The city of Boston does recycle old clothes, and they have a list on their website of what they will take (hint: it’s pretty much everything).
Upcycle
You don’t actually have to move all of your old clothes out of your place. In fact, you can upcycle them! Try turning an old t-shirt or jersey sweats into rags (an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to paper towels) or even look up some Pinterest DIYs. There will almost always be a Pinterest DIY for whatever you have.
I hope this article gave you some insight into how to sustainably get rid of the byproduct of your spring cleaning spree!
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If you have clothes you want to get rid of, drop them off at the Swap ‘N’ Shop on April 28th in the Simmons Hall first floor lounge! The Sustainability Club and Her Campus will be hosting the event from 3-6 p.m. and will be accepting clothes both at the event on the 28th and ahead of time at Bartol on Wednesday 4/24! Drop off your old clothes and pick up some new pieces you’ll love! We hope to see you there!
(images courtesy of last year’s amazing Swap ‘N’ Shop!)