From Closet to Compost: What Happens to Your Clothes After You Donate Them?

We often assume that donating clothes equals doing good—but the truth is more complicated.

Only about 10–30% of donated clothes are resold locally. The rest are:

• Shipped to other countries, disrupting local economies

• Turned into rags or insulation

• Sent to landfill or incinerated
  

So what’s the solution?

• Buy less, buy better: So you don’t have to donate as much.

• Mend and upcycle: Give pieces a second life at home.

• Host clothing swaps: Keep clothes in your community.

• Donate smart: Choose local shelters or nonprofits that can use what you give.

Clothing doesn’t disappear when you drop it off. Every item has a footprint. Be mindful of where it walks next