Simply Green Quick Tip: Donate to your Heart’s Content
No need to be too picky when donating clothes to charity. Only about 10 percent of donated clothes ever end up for resale in thrift shops; the rest are sold to textile recyclers. Ripped jeans, way-too-faded t-shirts and other worn-out clothes are recycled into cleaning cloths and other industrial items by these recyclers. They pay charitable organizations like Goodwill and the Salvation Army a fee for the old clothes, which adds up to a significant amount of money for their charitable works. So clear your closets clean and give away.
-Danny Seo
PS- Ever score an amazing find at Goodwill? Share it here and I just might send you a JCPenney Simply Green tote bag as my way of saying thanks!
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vintage pyrex — the borosilicate stuff — is always a great find at goodwill. my husband sometimes whines that we have too much, but a good casserole or pie always convinces him otherwise!
This is good to know! I often would only take to Goodwill what I thought could sell. Now I will not hesitate taking those items that may have a stain or a missing button. Thanks, Danny!
-K
This is true to some extent, but I know that some charity shops actually throw a lot away if their shelves are already full and they have a semi load of items to get through. I’m all for goodwill and the salvation army, but be sure before you donate that you know good items won’t just get trashed.
Oh wow! I didn’t know they actually recycled the clothing, I always donate everything to Goodwill, but was always scared they couldn’t sell it all. I found Coors pint glasses and a matching pitcher once for like $5. I still use them all the time!
long long long ago back in my high school days when it wasn’t so cool to buy from goodwill, i scored a perfectly pair of guess jeans for 3 bucks.
I second checking in with the shop. If they sell what they can’t use, then I say donate all that you can. I like to donate for the tax write off as well as it’s a good thing to do.
Books. I have found some great books at Goodwill - paperbacks for 25 cents and great cookbooks (vintage and newer) for just a dollar or two.
I found this beautiful, huge, round vintage coffee table with a marble top for only $20!!!! It was so heavy that I had to get 3 men to help me get it into my van.
I’ve found lots of great stuff, but my favorite was a great old carved wooden armoire for under $100 at the Goodwill. We finally had to get rid of it after a hurricane trashed just about all of our furniture, loved that armoire though. It was so beautiful.
I love finding designer labels at Salvation Army and Goodwill. Found a Louis Feraud blazer for $10 and a pair of Dolce and Gabbana sandals for $6 at Salvation Army - both practically brand new!
A heckuva lot of those donated clothes end up in clothing markets in Africa, for better or for worse:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/tshirttravels/film.html
My best find was a current-model computer sound card, still in the plastic wrapper, for $7. It was better than the one I asked for for Christmas. I also find lots of baby clothes - barely worn, and cheap! Perfect for daycare, where clothes often get wrecked.
I found a nice rocker-just gorgeous all refinished!
I’ve found purses worth $100 for about $2 there.
We found a bunch of Brand New Leap Frog Toys for $2.00 each….and lots of items that have to due with ALF..the tv show from the 80’s…my husband loves it….But my favorite item to this date!! I brand new couch!! They had it in a “model home” and we got it for $75.00!!!!!! We still have it to this day!!!!
[...] was checking out one of my favorite blogs, Danny Seo’s Simply Green, and he had a wonderful little article up on his site about donating [...]
I was just researching this for a reader of my blog — he asked specifically whether it’s OK to donate worn-out shoes. I haven’t heard back from the Salvation Army here (a national spokeswoman told me policies can vary by region), but here’s what a Goodwill spokesman said:
“Our standard response is that Goodwill welcomes donations of clothing and other items that are ‘in new or gently used’ condition. Worn out shoes are not re-sellable or re-usable, so we prefer not to take them. Worn-out clothing, on the other hand, can be recycled as textiles so we generally accept whatever the public brings to us.”
So worn-out clothing, at least, is OK at Goodwill.
Here’s my relevant blog entry:
http://blog.timesunion.com/simplerliving/when-should-you-throw-stuff-away/12568/
I donate and shop at Goodwill regularly! My favorite items are my Corelle dishes in a variety of old styles that are all mixed. They hold up better than the numerous sets that I purchased new and if I do break one, oh well, they are a dime a dozen.
I just shopped at Goodwill tonight. I got two pair of jeans in my NEW SIZE. Having lost 25 lbs since Jan 1, I have also lost two pants sizes. And yes, I will donate my old and now too-big clothes either to a thrift store, or to friends. Nothing goes in the trash if I think it can be used by somebody somewhere.
I once found a tin of hand blown and decorated Easter/Christmas eggshells. They are beautiful! Some have Easter patterns and some have Christmas. Sure would love to know the story behind these pretties….
my favorite finds have included brand new fisher price & vtech toys for my daughter. i also love being able to find my favorite childhood books (that had been given away) so she can read them as well.
vintage ozzy osbourne t-shirt that ended up being my future husband’s brother’s!!!
I found the most gorgeous large glass punch bowl to display on top of our china cabinet for only $14!!!! It is beautiful and none of my guests ever realize it was from a thrift store! I also find pieces of Pyrex baking dishes quite often to add to my collection - most under $3 each - what a steal! Love it!
I think I read somewhere that per year, people throw away about 96 pounds of clothing–all of which ends up in a landfill! I think about 80% of clothing will eventually end up in a landfill…so yes, buying used clothing is a great alternative!
I went to Good Will the other day and bought some beautiful blue mugs/soup bowls, a cute pair of shoes for my boyfriend, and some awesome, already-matted picture frames! I’m very, very lucky to live in Ohio…we have a million antique stores and second-hand stores. Completely fantastic. <3
i found an arhaus love seat for $45.00. i purchased it for my college daughter but kept it for myself.
I think its a great work & it certainly will make many realise that how precious their love is.