The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world after the oil and gas sector. Collectively, the average family in the US discards 280 lbs of clothing and textile waste each year. Additionally, a mere 15% of clothing donated to large chain organizations are put on racks for resale. The remaining 85% are landfilled in developing countries or downcycled into cheap filler for mattresses, moving blankets, and similar consumer products.

There are multiple ways to consume consciously to lessen our impact on the planet: Wearing secondhand, buying fewer but better-made pieces, and purchasing from companies committed to fair labor practices, circular production, and end-of-lifecycle solutions are just a few impactful ideas.

What we do with our clothing when it no longer serves us is a critical component of reducing textile waste. Responsible, thoughtful donating is key. I recommend donating good-quality clothing to local and niche organizations that fill a specific need within the community. Maternity and baby clothes should go to a women’s shelter; formal wear to a prom-dress collection; outerwear to a coat drive, and sneakers to footwear recycling programs.

Organizations that will reuse your goods should receive washed clothing in good condition that you’d be proud to give to a friend. So take good care of your clothes while you have them, and anything that doesn’t pass the “friends test” should be recycled or downcycled. The Westport Transfer Station accepts textiles in any condition as well as footwear, accessories (bags, gloves, scarfs), home linens, pillows, throws, and stuffed animals – as long as they are dry. Other organizations, like animal shelters, are always looking for used blankets or towels.

Always ask what an organization is seeking and make sure they are accepting donations. Keep in mind that on the other side of your donation bag is someone doing the hard work of hand-sorting your used goods for a greater cause.

LOCAL CONSIGNMENT STORES

• Around the Rosy (kidswear, toys and homegoods). 1 Turkey Hill Rd S, Westport. (203) 557-8082
• Cloud Nine Designer Consignment (womenswear and menswear, shoes and accessories). 339 Main St, Westport. (203) 293-4733
• Designer Label Consignment (womenswear and menswear, shoes and accessories. 1344 Post Rd E, Westport. (203) 255-9099
• Recycled Lines (youth and sportswear)
• Roundabout Resale Couture (womenswear and menswear, shoes and accessories).606 Post Rd E, Westport. Other locations in Greenwich and Stamford. (203) 227-4334

LOCALLY-OWNED RESALE EXPERIENCES

• Next Up is a high end, sustainable shopping experience with in-person events and a shoppable website.
• Shop Tomorrows is a national, cashless network for trading up kids wear and more.
• The Exchange Project: A shopping experience powered by sustainability for the fashion forward & environmentally conscious.

Always call or email the organization for details before donating as hours and location are subject to change.

MATERNITY AND INFANTS

Mothers for Others, Greenwich

Accepts gently used baby items (i.e. baby swings, strollers, high chairs, bouncy seats and pack-n-plays) as well as disposable diapers. No car seats, opened diaper packages, baby baths, toilet seats, cribs, or mattresses.

Hours, contact info and location(s)

Drop offs Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at 2nd floor of Second Congregational Church, 139 East Putnam Ave., 203-340-1259 or email mothersforothers@yahoo.com.

ABC Women’s Center: Charitable Donations

Agency accepts donations of maternity clothes, infant clothes, women’s clothes, and children’s clothing to size 5. Donations of office equipment and computers, to support agency programs are also accepted.

Hours, contact info and location(s)

Middletown, CT. Text 860-325-2880, Voice 860-344-9292 molly@abcwomenscenter.org

Baby2Baby

Provides low-income children, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.

 

GENERAL KIDS’ CLOTHING

Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County

Mission is to provide new and quality used clothing to low income or in-crisis school ages children in Fairfield County, Ct, free of charge.

Hours, contact info and location(s)

Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, Yerwood Clubhouse, 90 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford CT 06902 / info@clothestokidsfairfieldcounty.org (203) 595-5664

Clothes to Kids

This national non-profit organization provides underprivileged local children with clothing appropriate for school. For more efficient distribution, branches are divided by state.

 

SPECIAL OCCASION AND SHOES

Operation Prom

This national organization takes in preloved prom gowns and tuxedos. Operation Prom National Network, Inc., helps students attend their prom by providing free dresses and tuxedos. They distribute prom formal wear as well as accessory items such as shoes, undergarments, jewelry, and bowties. hello@promnationalnetwork.org

 

PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Dress for Success of Mid-Fairfield County

The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Hours, contact info and location(s)

203.333.6505

Bridgeport (9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County, 240 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, (203) 333-6505

Norwalk, Westy Norwalk, Norwalk, CT 06854, (203) 899-1234

Stamford, The Loft Salon & Spa, Stamford, CT 06903 (203) 890-9494

Wilton, Westy Wilton, Wilton, CT 06897, (203) 762-7600

Save-A-Suit

Save-A-Suit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We provide our former military and college graduates with professional business attire and the confidence needed to succeed.

Hours, contact info and location(s)

137 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT 06801, Call Monday through Friday 9AM-5PM: (203) 456-6801, 24/7 and Leave a Message: (800) 418-5991

Bottomless Closet

Career clothing and coaching for women

Hours, contact info and location(s)

Bottomless Closet is located at 16 East 52nd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10022. Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m, Curbside drop-offs on Tuesdays Thursdays between 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Call 212-563-2499 ext. 14.

 

SHOES

Give a Kick

Started by three middle schoolers, Give A Kick’s mission is to collect shoes for kids and adults in need. They have donated over 800+ pairs of shoes so far.

Contact info

Giveakick1@gmail.com, @giveakick on Instagram

Reuse-A-Shoe

Nike’s program that accepts sneakers of any brand and turns them into things we need, either by passing them forward or recycling them into playground turf and other materials.

 

OTHER WAYS TO PASS IT FORWARD

Give Back Box gives each cardboard box a second life to help people in need. Use any cardboard box you may have, to donate your unwanted items to make a major difference in the life of another person.

Local Drives: Your child’s school, place of worship, or nearby grocery store probably have opportunities for donation. Around the holiday season, many organizations run drives to solve a specific need. Some may be for coats, others for hats and gloves. When charities are local and specific, proper distribution is very likely.

 

RECYCLE YOUR TEXTILES

• Other retailers that accept apparel to be recycled are H&M: Don’t Let Fashion Go to Waste (any brand), Eileen Fisher: Green Eileen (their brand only), and Patagonia: Closing the Loop and WornWear (their brand only).
• GrowNYC: a great place to drop off worn clothing to be recycled. Locations are throughout New York City.
• Bay State Textiles: drop off locations are placed throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts including Westport Transfer Station
• Here is the complete list of organizations and sites for apparel recycling programs.