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Where does donated clothing go?

Earthsense

Have you ever wondered where your donated clothes go once you’ve dropped them off in those donation bins?  Most people think their unwanted clothing is sold locally, but only a small percentage of the clothing we donate is actually sold here- the vast majority of it is sorted, compacted into large bales weighing about half a ton, and then sold to textile recycling companies or sold overseas.

  

What’s wrong with that, right?  Well, because of our increased clothing consumption, there’s an increase in clothing waste and these recycling centers and overseas markets are simply inundated with unwanted clothing.  This means that overseas markets can be more particular, demanding more fashion forward styles.  And the stuff that no one wants ends up in landfills.  It’s time to rethink our shopping habits and only buy what we need!