Why Donating Your Gently Used Clothes Instead of Trashing Them is Better

Spring is right around the corner, the perfect time to clean and purge our homes of things that are of no use anymore. While some will be tempted to toss those old clothes in the trash, the following news may encourage you to take those items to your nearest clothing donation center.

A recent story is raising alarm among environmentalists about the amount of discarded clothing that is making its way to landfills around the world – and it’s hurting the environment in a big way.

Images of a mountain of clothing reportedly in Nairobi, Kenya, called “fossil fashion,” is making the rounds on the internet.

According to a report by Clean Up Kenya and the Changing Markets Foundation, countries in the northern part of the globe dump millions of items into landfills in countries located in the Global South.

“Despite restrictions on plastic waste export around the world, an overwhelming volume of used clothing shipped to Kenya is waste synthetic clothing, a toxic influx which is creating devastating consequences for the environment and communities,” the report said.

Investigators also claim most of the clothing, which is made of synthetic material, ends up in the landfills or are burned, causing further damage to the air and those working in the landfills.

The fashion industry, especially those known for making trendy, cheap items, are notorious for contributing to the environmental decline. According to a report by Bloomberg in 2022, these accounted for up to 10% of global carbon dioxide output.

What Can You Do to Help?

To keep clothing out of landfills, it’s good to give these items a new life and donate locally. There are many people living in your city or town who could use deeply discounted clothes. Donating can help your neighbor and combat harmful waste at the same time.

Click here for more ways to help the environment.