What do do with Used Clothing: The Ultimate Guide, a blog post by EcoGoodz, a credential clothing supplier

So. You have a pile of used clothing that you need to get rid of. Should you sell them? Donate them? Recycle them? You have a lot of options! Let this detailed infographic from Real Simple will help you decide.

The simplest way to get rid of your used clothing is to donate it. If your items are clean and in good condition (and you don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling your items), donating is the route for you. Your donation may even be tax deductible so you can recoup some of your costs (check with the charitable institution before you donate, just to be sure). There are two additional benefits of donating your items: First, many charitable institutions use the sale of donated goods to fund social programs such as job training or adult education. And second, people who cannot afford new clothing or shoes will benefit from your donation by purchasing used clothing, shoes, and other goods secondhand, through the charitable institution’s storefront.

Used shoes and clothing items that are stained, torn, or show lots of wear, can be recycled. Nike has a fantastic program for recycling athletic footwear. You can also check with your local municipality to see what textile recycling programs exist in your area. 95% of textiles (shoes, clothing, towels, bedding, etc) can be recycled so please do not ever throw away clothing, fabric scraps or stray socks! Recycle them instead. And, according to the infographic above, you can even donate damaged textiles at Goodwill (though you should double check with them first! And, as suggested above, group all the damaged or worn items together in one bag and label it ‘Recycle’).

Listing your clothing pieces for sale online is a good route for higher-end pieces or for clothing items that are in like-new condition. In addition to online marketplaces, you can sell your used clothing at consignment stores such as Plato’s Closet or even through local facebook groups.

What are your experiences with donating, selling, or recycling your used textiles? Comment below!