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I'm wrapping up my spring cleaning, which includes getting rid of clothes I no longer want or need. What can I do to get rid of them in an eco-friendly fashion?
The greenest thing you can do with your old garments is to make sure they get reused. The easiest way to do that is to take them to a charity shop or thrift store. Just visit your local Salvation Army or Goodwill outpost. (U.K. residents can locate an Oxfam store or other drop-off location via the Association for Charity Shops.)
My friend Benita, however, has another option. Instead of dropping her clothes to a faceless bin, she donates them directly to people who she knows will use them. "I like knowing where my clothes end up," she says, "so I always ask my cleaning lady if she would like something that I don't want any longer. Most times, if she won't use it, she knows someone else who will."
If your clothes are still in great shape, you can also bring them to a consignment shop, offer them up on Freecycle, or sell them in a sidewalk sale. You could also swap old clothes with friends, online at Swapstyle.com, or at a community event, such as the Swap O Rama, Visa Swap, or What's Mine is Yours.
Learn more about greening your wardrobe
Detox Your Home: In the Laundry Room, Part 1
Detox Your Home: In Your Laundry Room, Part 2-
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