How To Get Rid Of Clothes You HATE Sustainably
Let's face it. it doesn't matter how sustainably minded you are, you'll always end up with clothes that eventually you don't want. But how do we get rid of those pieces sustainably?
^ my bin bag of clothes at my parents' house I'm slowly getting rid of
Here's how to get rid of those clothes you don't want in the most eco-friendly ways
The aim of the game is not to let them end up in landfill, so these methods are designed to keep that from happening. If your clothes are totally unwearable skip straight to step 5!
Sure. Are you 100% sure you don't want it? Tomorrow, try and style this item in a new and fun way. Then, try again tomorrow. If you can't figure out any way to love and wear it, it's fine to move it on. It's important not to fall into the trap of tossing something in the back of your wardrobe and getting rid of it before you've even tried. Ok, it's hideous and somehow gives you knee cleavage? Let's find out what to do.
Give. The best way to continue clothes' lives is to ensure they keep getting worn. Do this by giving it to someone you know by offering it out to your friends and family (or enemies if it is really that hideous).
Sell. Selling your clothes on is a fantastic way to ensure it's going to get worn - if someone's willing to pay money for it, and pay the postage on top, and pay the mental toll of waiting for royal mail to deliver it, they're pretty likely to wear it! And, as a bonus you get a couple extra quid in your pocket. My favourite way to sell and buy online is Vinted, but there's also car-boot sales, eBay and many others. Vinted is an app where you upload a picture and description, then a buyer pays for the item and the postage method. It's quick, it's easy and I've made a few hundred quid doing it.
Donate. Please do not donate your scrappy old pants to the charity shop, but if it's still a wearable item it's great to donate. If it doesn't sell, some charity shops sell unwanted clothes on as rags, but some will send them to landfill. So, selling comes first before donating, as it will have a guaranteed home.
Repurpose. That sock with a great big hole in the toe is totally unwearable and has shrunk to the size of a ten pence piece? Don't worry, there's still a use for it. Use your rags as rags. I dust my desk using socks all the time! Re-purpose your done-for clothes for cleaning, stuff them in a saggy cushion to plump it up, or if its made of all natural fibres stick it in your compost.
Recycle. This is the last resort, for when your clothes are beyond saving. Textile recycling banks can be found at supermarkets like Tesco and Saisburys, clothing shops like Fatface and H&M, and in some parts of the country (like my area central Bedfordshire) the bin men will take it with your regular recycling! Sorry, I don't know where you live so you'll need to look into that one yourself, I do have a life and Google will do the legwork for you.
If you are Sure you don't want that shirt, skirt or sock, go through the options of Give, Sell, Donate, Repurpose and Recycle. If you can't achieve one of those, you're a lazy so-and-so, but like all lazy so-and-sos you probably know someone you can pawn the job off on, so do that instead. Don't let your clothes sit in landfill and try to let those clothes live a long life.
Bye for now,
Cara.