5 Ways to Keep Your Clothing Donations Out of the Landfill

When you're cleaning out your closet, it might feel good to donate your clothes, thinking you're helping out. But here's the reality: a lot of that donated clothing ends up being burned, tossed in the trash, or shipped to other countries, where it can create problems for those communities.

It’s easy to think that once we drop a bag off at a donation bin, we’ve done something good. But the reality is more complicated. Some estimates suggest that thrift shops sell less than 20% of donated clothing; they often bale and ship the rest abroad, downcycle it, or discard it altogether. That means the majority of our donations aren’t finding new homes. Rather, they’re becoming part of the global waste crisis.

When donations are sent overseas, they can flood local markets and displace small businesses. This influx often overwhelms communities with clothing they don’t need and can't properly process. Instead of helping, our well‑meaning contributions can create environmental and economic problems for others. It’s a cycle that not only clogs landfills but also contributes to public health crises in parts of the world already facing significant challenges. You can find more information on this pressing issue here.

It's important to find ways to keep clothing donations out of landfills and ensure they are truly reused.

So how do we make sure our good intentions actually do good? It starts long before we’re ready to donate, with how we shop in the first place, and it continues with the choices we make when we pass clothing on. A conscious effort to buy less, keep pieces in circulation longer, and choose thoughtful donation routes can help ensure that what leaves our closets doesn’t end up polluting someone else’s backyard.

Here are five thoughtful ways to make sure your donations don’t end up in the landfill:

1. Buy Less in the First Place

The most sustainable garment is the one that never needed to be produced. Every new piece of clothing requires resources like water, energy, fabric, and human labor, and the fewer items we bring into our closets, the less strain we place on those systems. Buying fewer, better‑quality pieces reduces the need to constantly clean out your closet and donate. When you’re intentional with your purchases, you’ll naturally have fewer items to offload, and those you do donate will likely be in better shape for someone else to use, helping keep clothing donations out of landfill.

Think of it this way: instead of chasing every new trend, consider curating a wardrobe filled with timeless, versatile pieces you truly love. A capsule wardrobe, for example, not only saves space but also simplifies daily dressing and reduces decision fatigue. Focusing on natural fabrics that hold up over time like organic cotton or linen, means you’ll have clothes that feel good, age gracefully, and remain wearable season after season. Ultimately, buying less is about valuing quality over quantity and building a closet that works harder for you without the excess.

2. Only Donate Clean, Wearable Items

Before donating, ask yourself: Would I give this to a friend? If it’s stained, ripped, stretched out, or smells strange, most donation centers can’t sell it. In fact, many centers spend valuable time and resources sorting through unusable donations, and much of what can’t be sold ends up in landfills anyway. Always wash and fold your clothes before donating so they’re ready for someone else to wear right away. Presentation matters! Clean, neatly packed clothing is far more likely to be accepted and appreciated.

If an item is beyond repair, textile recycling is a better option (see below). Even items that feel “too worn” to you can sometimes be upcycled into rags, insulation, or new fabrics, but only if they’re directed to the right place. Taking that extra step ensures your donations help rather than burden the organizations receiving them.

3. Research Where You Donate

Not all donation centers operate the same. Some only sell a fraction of what they receive and send the rest abroad or to textile recyclers, many of which still discard large amounts. Prioritize local organizations that support your community directly, like:

• Homeless shelters or women’s shelters
• Refugee resettlement groups
• Church donation drives
• Community closets or free stores

Call ahead to ask what they accept and how donations are used.

4. Sell Your Clothes Yourself

Give your pre-loved pieces a second chance by selling them directly to people who want them. This ensures your clothes stay in use and reduces the risk of them being tossed since many thrift stores are overwhelmed.
Here are a few great platforms to try:

• Poshmark – Best for fashion lovers and name brands
• Depop – Great for vintage, trendy, or Y2K styles
• thredUP – A clean-out service with optional payout or donation

Click here for a list of our 12 favorite secondhand clothing apps for you to buy and sell!

This route takes a bit more time, but it’s one of the most effective ways to keep your clothes in circulation, and you may even make some money along the way.

5. Recycle Responsibly

For clothes that are no longer wearable (holey socks, stretched-out tees, underwear, etc.), look for textile recycling programs. Brands like Trashie, Terracycle, and some local governments offer recycling options that turn worn-out items into insulation, industrial rags, or even new textiles, keeping them far from the landfill.

Click here to find stores who take your old clothes in return for store credit.

Final Thoughts on Clothing Donations and Landfills

At the end of the day, what we do with our clothes matters just as much as what we buy. By being intentional (like purchasing less, donating thoughtfully, and recycling responsibly) we can make sure our wardrobes don’t become someone else’s problem. Every garment we keep in circulation a little longer helps reduce waste, protect communities, and ease the pressure on our planet. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s simply making choices that honor both the clothes we own and the people who may wear them next. Thank you for taking care of what you have and this beautiful planet :)