How To Donate Clothing in NSW
Shopping for new clothes is fun and relaxing, especially if you do it during big sales. But we often end up buying things we never wear and forget why we got them in the first place. Our closets might be full of unworn jeans and shirts with tags still on, even years later. Everybody must be guilty of this charge!
Reports revealed that Australia imports 373,000 tonnes of new clothes, making us the world's second-largest consumer of textiles. On average, each Australian buys 56 clothing items each year. However, people only wear about 40% of their clothes and throw away around 23 kilograms, which adds up to about 200,000 tonnes of clothes in landfills.
Don’t wait until your closet is overflowing with clothes you don’t wear. Donating your gently used clothes can help you clean up and make a difference in the community.
Let’s find out how to get started!
1. Charities
If you have a stack of clothes you haven’t worn in ages, consider donating them to local charities. This way, you can free up space in your closet and help those in need. Rather than letting them sit unused, you can give them a new purpose!
Fortunately, New South Wales (NSW) has 665 charity shops where you can donate your clothes. With so many options, you might be wondering where to start. Here’s a short list of charities that would be grateful for your clothing donations:
Vinnies shops seek donations of gently used clothing and homeware items to support their programs nationwide. Your donations help fund initiatives that will benefit 1.3 million vulnerable Australians annually. Donating gives your clothing a second life, supports those in need, and helps reduce landfill waste.
You can drop off your donations at nearby Vinnies shops or place them in their donation bins. If you can't deliver your items personally, some Vinnies shops in NSW offer pickup services. Locate your local Vinnies shops, or call them at 13 18 12 for further assistance.
If you're a working woman with plenty of extra professional attire, why not donate to Dress for Success? You'll be supporting women on their journey to find employment or advance in their careers. You can tidy up your space while making a meaningful impact!
Check their donation guideline or reach out to them directly at 1800 773 456. You can email them at info@dfsnswact.org and ask for the nearest drop-off point in NSW.
The Australian Red Cross accepts donations of gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories to fund its humanitarian work. Every purchase of goods from its shops benefits struggling Australians and people worldwide.
You can donate at any Red Cross Shop or use their charity bins inside to avoid damage to any donated items.
Anglicare runs Op shops across NSW to fund its community programs. You can donate clothes and other items in relatively good condition. You can visit their website to find the closest Op shop and get involved in their community.
2. Reuse or Recycling Facilities
Around 95% of clothes sent to landfills could be recycled, yet only 7% of textile waste is actually processed for reuse.
Since charities may have stricter guidelines on the clothes they accept, where should we donate our clothing then? Well, for clothes that don’t meet charity requirements, you can take them to clothing recycling centres instead. Here are some of your options:
King Cotton accepts your used or old cotton clothing and other textiles. Each year, they collect over 5,000 tonnes of clothing and accessories across Australia, up to 95% of them being reused or recycled.
Locate a bin to drop off your items or book their free collection service if you can't find one. You can also reach out to them directly at 02 9584 9582.
UPPAREL focuses on recycling old clothes and other fabric items. They aim to reduce waste in landfills and protect the environment.
If you're interested in donating, you can check out the list of what they usually accept. You can drop your items at their drop-off bins or book a pick-up service.
TexRec Australia advocates turning textile waste in landfills into something new. By partnering with TexRec, you can contribute to a more sustainable approach to clothing waste management and help protect the environment.
Find out what they accept and locate recycling bins near you. You can contact them at 1300 760 669 or submit an enquiry form.
3. Online Platforms
You can now use technology to donate, trade, or sell old clothes online. Take pictures of your items and post them on various websites to sell them cheaply or give them away for free. Gumtree, Carousell, eBay and Etsy are some options for you.
4. Call for a Rubbish Removal Service
If you have clothes that can’t be donated and are lying around, call a reliable rubbish removal service like All Gone Rubbish Removal to take care of it!
We offer same-day junk removal services throughout Sydney, Central Coast, and Newcastle. We take care of clothing, furniture, white goods, and almost any type of waste. We’re also committed to keeping our services eco-friendly by ensuring that we recycle whenever possible.
Contact us at 0480 047 806 to get a free quote!