Donate Smart, Keep It Clean, and Make an Impact This Holiday Season

The holidays are officially here starting a season full of generosity, celebration, and community spirit. From Halloween’s costumes and candy to Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas festivities, and New Year’s resolutions, it’s the perfect time to give back in a meaningful way.

At ATRS, we make giving easy and impactful through our clothing donation bins, where your gently used clothing, shoes, and household textiles help support local charities and families in need. But before you pack up your car with donations this holiday season, we’d like to share a few friendly reminders to keep your giving clean, effective, and truly helpful for everyone involved.

Donation Bin Etiquette

The holidays often inspire big-hearted generosity — and we love that! But not everything belongs in a clothing donation bin. To help our teams and partner charities make the most of your donations, please remember these important tips:

Donate Only Gently Used Clothing, Shoes, and Household Textiles
Our bins are designed specifically for wearable items like shirts, jeans, jackets, shoes, and linens. These are the items that can be reused, resold, or recycled to make a real impact.

No Food, No Tools, No Decorations
We know it’s tempting to clean out everything during the holidays, but please do not donate food, tools, or seasonal decorations. These items can’t be reused by our partners and often create safety hazards or damage clothing donations.

No Boxes or Loose Items
Always bag your donations in securely tied plastic bags (kitchen-sized works great). This protects the clothing from weather, pests, and damage while keeping bins neat for the next donor.

No Costumes or Holiday Décor
While we love your festive spirit, our bins can’t accept Halloween costumes, ornaments, garlands, or Christmas trees. Instead, focus on gently used clothing that can keep others warm during the colder months.

If the Bin Is Full, Call Us!
If you arrive at a full bin, please do not leave items outside. Just call 800-900-9308, and one of our team members will help within an hour, either by servicing that bin or directing you to another nearby location.

How Hosting a Bin Benefits You and Your Community

Local businesses can play a key role in keeping their communities strong and sustainable, as well. Partnering with ATRS as a sponsor location for a clothing donation bin is a simple, high-impact way to get involved.

Increase Foot Traffic
ATRS bins attract community-minded donors who are often potential customers. Many people stop by to donate and end up shopping or doing business at your location.

Promote Sustainability
Hosting a donation bin shows your commitment to the environment and community well-being. It’s a visible way to demonstrate your business values while helping reduce landfill waste.

Support Local Charities
Each ATRS bin is partnered with a local nonprofit, ensuring that every pound of clothing collected helps fund vital programs in your community.

Professional Maintenance, No Hassle
Our team handles everything from servicing and cleaning bins to ensuring your property stays neat and safe. As a host, you get all the benefits of being a community partner with none of the extra work.

Give Smart This Holiday Season

Whether you’re decluttering after Halloween, making room for new holiday gifts, or starting the new year with a fresh closet, remember: your clothing donations change lives.

By following proper donation etiquette, you help ATRS keep bins clean, donations valuable, and communities thriving. Together, we can make this holiday season one of true giving from October through January and beyond.

Donate only clothing, shoes, and textiles. No food. No tools. No decorations. Just meaningful giving.

Find your nearest ATRS donation bin or learn how to become a business sponsor today.