"New Yorkers throw out 200,000 tons of clothing and textiles every year. Instead of throwing your textiles away, donate or recycle them, which helps keep New York clean and fashionable" (DSNY).
According to The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the average person today buys 60% more clothing than in 2000. And not only do we buy more, we also discard more as a result.
If you're not interested in hosting or attending a Clothing Swap (which is a super fun way to exchange clothes), and just want to simply purge your closet in a way that keeps the clothing you do have circulating within our community, check out the resources listed below.
Photo Credit: Wearable Collections
Use this map by DSNY to locate places near you to donate or recycle unwanted clothing or textiles. It includes the locations of donation bins, organizations, thrift stores, and non-profits, retail store take-back programs, and textile recycling at farmers markets.
Each location has contact info and the items accepted listed.
Wearable Collections partners with GrowNYC Greenmarkets (see the Farmers Markets page for more info on them) to accept
- Used or new, freshly laundered clothing
- Shoes, sneakers, accessories, hats, belts and handbags
- Household linens such as sheets, curtains and towels
drop-offs at these Greenmarket locations.
They also offer $20 contactless Friday home pick-ups, you can host your own drive with them, and they partner with over 200 buildings to accept donations and you can apply to add a collection bin to yours (if over 100 units)! Click here to learn about what they do with the collected textiles!
NYC.gov's donateNYC program has a search engine that you can select 'Give' and 'Clothing/Personal Accessories,' which will display options near your address.
refashionNYC is an NYC.gov sanitation program "a free and convenient clothing donation and recycling service" for buildings. Their "partnership with Housing Works provides... convenient collection while fighting the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS."
Who Is Eligible:
- Apartment buildings with 10 or more units
- Office buildings
- Commercial businesses (such as fashion industry, storage facilities, gyms, laundromats, and hotels)
- Schools and institutions
Submit an application here.
"[They'll] visit your building to discuss how many bins you’d like, what sizes are best and where they should be placed. Buildings simply call or email for a free pick up when the bin is full."
Green Tree Textiles also has donation boxes across the city, where you can donate clothing and textiles that they keep in circulation.
Consider donating by posting to these FREE-based Facebook groups:
- "Free Stuff in NYC"(130K+ members)
- "Free Your Stuff NYC" (28K+ members)
- "NYC For Free" (15K+ members)
- "Manhattan NYC Free Cycle" (4.4K+ members)
- "Free Stuff Brooklyn, Ny" (2.5K+ members)
- "Free Your Stuff NYC: Queens & Brooklyn" (2.2K+ members)
- "Trade FREE Stuff NYC" (2.1K+ members, some rule breakers)
- "NYC Swap & Shop / free donations" (1.9K+ members)
- "NYC Free For All!" (1.6K+ members)
- "NYC Clothing Swap Meets" (a new group made to coordinate days/places/plan for meets for clothing swaps)
- "NYC Clothes Exchange" (clothing swapping online)
Or by making a post on the NYC Craigslist.
The Freecycle Network is "a grassroots & entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their own Towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Membership is free. And now you can also set up your own, smaller personal Friends Circle for gifting and lending of items with just your friends!"
OR you can download the app ReFree to post and similarly see FREE items in your area!
Manhattan only: PickupPlease partners with UPS (United Postal Service) "to bring New Yorkers a free and easy way to donate their used clothing, shoes, and accessories. Donate ladies, kids, and men’s clothing, shoes, purses, handbags, belts, ties, jewelry, and more." They will send you a pre-paid label to drop off your box of clothes at any UPS store/pickup location. Their organization supports Vietnam Veterans of America.
Free Mail-Back (via DSNY)
Dress for Success (professional attire)
Free the Girls (bras)
Bottomless Closet (see more about them on the Free Clothing page)
ThredUp (you can also consign your sent items and earn money
Give Back Box (clothing, shoes, new blankets to Ukraine refugees - $17)
Nordstrom (clothing, shoes, jewelry and household item)
Soles 4 Souls (new or gently-worn shoes)
Ann Taylor (gently used clothing and accessories)
Zappos for Good (shoes, apparel, backpacks, books)
Native American Heritage Association (clothing, must pay shipping cost)
I Support the Girls (bras, must pay shipping)
Sources: "Clothing and Textile Drop-Off"
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