How Clothing Donations Keep Our Planet Healthier
Turn Your Old Clothes into a Cleaner, Greener Planet
When you think about your old clothes, shoes, or textiles, you probably think of clutter, not the environment. But the truth is that keeping clothing out of landfills has a massive impact on our planet—and every bag you donate makes a real difference. At ATRS, we know that your gently used items can live on to help others while protecting the environment.
The Environmental Cost of Textile Waste
The fashion and textile industry is one of the largest contributors to landfill waste in the U.S. Every year, millions of tons of clothing are discarded, most of which could still be used or recycled. When textiles end up in landfills, they don’t just take up space, they release harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases as they decompose. Synthetic fibers like polyester can take hundreds of years to break down, leaching microplastics into the soil and water along the way. Even natural fibers, like cotton, release methane and other greenhouse gases during decomposition, contributing to climate change.
How Clothing Donations Make a Difference
By donating your clothing, shoes, and textiles to ATRS clothing donation bins, you’re helping the environment in several ways:
- Reducing Landfill Waste – Every bag donated is one less bag in a landfill. This reduces soil contamination and slows the release of greenhouse gases from decomposing textiles.
- Conserving Resources – Making new clothing requires water, energy, and chemicals. When you donate, you extend the life of existing garments and reduce the need to produce more. For example, it takes about 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton t-shirt.
- Encouraging Recycling – Clothing that is beyond wearable condition is often recycled into insulation, cleaning cloths, or other products. This keeps materials in circulation instead of wasting them.
The Ripple Effect
Your donation doesn’t just benefit the environment. Many of the items collected through ATRS bins are sold or redistributed to support local charities and communities. By keeping your clothing in circulation, you’re supporting a sustainable economy, helping families in need, and promoting a culture of conscious consumption.
Small Actions, Big Impact
It’s easy to underestimate the power of a single bag of donated clothing. But consider this: if every household in the U.S. donated just one bag of gently used clothing per year, we could divert millions of tons of textiles from landfills annually. That’s cleaner air, less water contamination, and a healthier planet for future generations.
At ATRS, we make it simple to contribute. Drop off your gently used clothing, shoes, and textiles in one of our bins and know that your donation is making a tangible difference for people and the planet.
Remember: No hangers, no boxes, and never leave items outside the bin. If a bin is full or you need help finding the closest location, call 800-900-9308—someone will help you within an hour.
Your old clothes are more than just items you no longer need. They’re a powerful tool in protecting the environment and supporting your community. Donate today and be part of the solution.
