Have you cleaned out your closet lately? Chances are you have some pieces of clothing that you haven’t worn in quite some time. There are likely a number of charities in your local community who would be willing to accept donations and provide them to adults and children in need of clothing. Here are three reasons why you should consider donating your used clothing and other household items.
- Reduce landfill waste
Landfills are often overflowing, and thrown away clothing is a large part of that. 10.5 million tons of clothing are sent to landfills every year. Luckily, efforts to reduce that number are being made. It was found in 2006 that 2.5 billion pounds of fabric were kept from landfills and used as secondhand clothing purchases instead. Donating clothes instead of throwing them away is one small step you can take to reduce landfill waste and to help save the environment. - Provide help to those in need
Americans donate about 4.7 billion pounds of clothing every year. Clothing donations can be made to local business, such as thrift stores, or to local charity organizations. These organizations will sort through your donations and pass them along to the populations they work with. For example, some accept clothing donations for veterans, some for the homeless, and some focus on children in need of clothing. Whichever organization you choose, you can be confident that your used clothing is benefiting someone who needed it. - Tax Credits
If you make enough charitable donations throughout the year, you may qualify for a tax credit. Look for groups that are granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Make sure you hold on to the receipt from the charitable organization. If your donation, including clothing and household items, was worth more than $250, you will need the receipt to write it off on your taxes.
Now, are you ready to donate your used clothing and household items now? Remember that by doing so, you are doing your part to reduce landfill waste, providing help to adults and children in need of clothing, and potentially garnering a tax credit for yourself. It is a win win situation all around, and definitely a decision you can feel good about.
