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Before clothes go in the bin there are better options. This guide sets out an order to work through, what UK research says about clear-outs, and what to check before you drop anything off.
Why it matters
WRAP surveyed UK adults in 2020 and found that 41% had a clear-out of unwanted clothes and textiles during lockdown. From that survey WRAP estimated that 67 million items of clothing and 22 million pairs of shoes would soon be passed on through charity shops, collection banks and other routes. It also warned that 14% of people would put unwanted clothes in general rubbish, and that among people who had already cleared out, 36% had used general rubbish. That was a lockdown-period survey, so current habits may differ.
The order I would work through
- Repair or alter. If the problem is a hem, button or zip, fixing it is the best option. See my basic clothes repair guide.
- Sell or swap. Items in good condition can be resold on second-hand apps or swapped with friends. My second-hand guide covers buying the same way.
- Donate. Charity shops take clean, wearable clothes. Check what each shop accepts first.
- Recycle worn-out textiles. Councils and some car parks have textile banks for worn clothing and fabric. Check your council website for what is accepted, as rules differ by area.
Donation routes WRAP lists
- Charity shops
- Textile banks
- Retailer take-back schemes
- Kerbside or charity bag collections
WRAP’s advice, given by its director Peter Maddox, is to check that a shop, bank, scheme or collection is operating before you go: call ahead, look online or ask your local authority. He says never to leave clothes in front of a closed charity shop or a full textiles bank. WRAP also pointed to in-store collection by retailers as an underused route.
Checklist before donating
- Wash items and check they are in wearable condition. This is common practice; check each charity’s own list.
- Check opening hours and what the shop accepts, such as shoes, underwear or household textiles.
- Put items in a tied bag so they stay clean and dry.
- Keep worn-out, non-wearable textiles for a textile bank or your council’s advice, not the charity shop.
- Donating is not a licence to buy more; my wardrobe guide covers buying less and buying better.
What to avoid
Do not put textiles in general household recycling unless your council says so. Do not leave bags outside closed shops or full banks.
What I could not verify
- What happens to donated clothes after collection. The WRAP release does not cover this, and I did not find a reliable current source.
- How much of what is donated is resold, exported or recycled.
- Current UK donation and disposal habits, as the survey is from 2020.
Source
- WRAP: 67 million items of clothing could be discarded by UK homes post lockdown (press release, 24 June 2020)
This article is general information, not professional advice. I have not tested any products. Figures are quoted from the sources above and may have changed.