Clothing:
Buying and Donating

Give Clothing, Linens and Textiles a Longer Life

When clothing is thrown away, it takes up valuable landfill space and can take a long time to break down. Buying secondhand, choosing clothing made with recycled materials and donating usable items are simple ways to reduce waste and make your closet a little greener.

Before you toss clothing, shoes, belts, handbags, linens or other textiles, think about whether they can be donated, consigned, reused or recycled.

Why Clothing  Choices Matter

Clothing production uses a lot of resources, from water and energy to raw materials and transportation. It can take an estimated 713 gallons of water to make just one cotton T-shirt, and cotton production may also involve pesticides and other chemicals.

By buying thoughtfully and extending the life of what you already have, you can reduce waste, conserve resources and help keep usable materials out of the trash.

Donate What You Can

Many agencies and organizations collect gently used clothing, linens and household textiles. Your place of worship, local family shelter or community organization may maintain a clothing closet, and organizations such as Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Goodwill and The Salvation Army operate thrift stores and donation programs in Hampton Roads.

Local animal shelters, SPCAs, veterinarians and other animal care organizations may also accept extra linens, especially towels, for bathing and caring for pets. Before donating, check with the organization to confirm what items they accept and how donations should be prepared.

Consign, Share or Repurpose

If you have clothing or accessories in good condition, consignment shops may be a good option for giving those items a second life while earning a little extra money.

You can also look for creative reuse opportunities in your community. Local colleges, theater programs and arts organizations may accept clothing donations for costumes, projects or performances.

Buy Secondhand When You Can

Shopping at local consignment shops and secondhand stores can help reduce demand for new products while saving money. Many secondhand stores are also nonprofits that reinvest in the community through social services and other programs.

Before buying new, consider whether you can find what you need secondhand, borrow it, repair something you already own or choose an item made with recycled or more sustainable materials.

Think Before You Toss

Clothing and textiles often have more life left in them than we realize. By donating, consigning, reusing and buying thoughtfully, Hampton Roads residents can reduce waste and support a cleaner, greener community.

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