Did you know that North Americans send over 10 million tons of clothing to landfills each year? That’s a staggering amount, and most of it could be reused, repurposed, or recycled. If your closet is bursting at the seams and you're thinking about donating some of your gently-used clothes, you’re already taking a positive step toward helping the environment and your community.
Choose the Right Place to Donate
The first step in donating responsibly is choosing the right place. Different organizations have different needs and causes they support, so be strategic. Here are some fantastic options in Vancouver:
This thrift store supports Battered Women’s Support Services, helping victims of domestic violence. Donations of clothing and accessories are welcome, but make sure your items are clean and in good condition.
Supporting BC Women’s Hospital, this thrift store takes gently-used women’s clothing and household goods. Your donations directly support programs that assist women and children in the province.
This global non-profit helps women secure jobs by providing professional attire. If you’ve got office-appropriate clothing that’s still stylish but no longer your size, this is a great place to donate. Just book an appointment before dropping off.
They accept clothing donations to raise funds for mentorship programs for at-risk youth. You can even schedule a free pick-up service, making it super convenient to give back.
Before You Donate: Repair, Clean, Organize
We all want to feel good about donating, but it’s important to donate only what’s actually usable. Would you buy it? If the answer is no, it's time to repair or recycle. Take a moment to fix any missing buttons or small tears. Once that’s done, give everything a good wash.
A quick hack: Think of your donation as a gift to a friend. Would you give them something stained or broken? If not, don’t pass it along to a charity. It’ll just end up in a landfill, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid!
Pro tip: Pair shoes with rubber bands or place jewelry in small bags so that volunteers don’t have to spend hours sorting mismatched items. Trust me, they’ll thank you for it.
Recycling and Repurposing Alternatives
What about items that can’t be donated? Many charities can’t accept heavily worn, stained, or torn clothing. But don’t worry, there are still options.
Textile Recycling
In Vancouver, organizations like Return-It accept textiles for recycling, turning them into things like insulation or stuffing for new products. Check out EcoEquitable as well, which runs sustainable textile recycling programs.
Rags and Repairs
You can also repurpose old clothes. Cut up cotton tees into cleaning rags or use fabric from old garments to patch up other clothes. Shelters often need rags or blankets for their operations, so ask around locally if you're unsure.
E-Waste Programs for Shoes
Shoes that are no longer wearable? Try Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program, which takes athletic shoes for recycling. If you're unsure about footwear donations, some local Vancouver shelters might accept well-worn shoes as a last resort for people in need.
Time Your Donations Wisely
Second Hand stores have limited space, and some items might sit unsold for months if donated off-season. Think strategically about the timing of your donations. Winter jackets will be much more useful in October than in July. The same goes for Christmas decorations—donate them in November, not after the holidays.
Make a Difference and Declutter Your Home
Decluttering your home and donating responsibly feels incredible. Not only are you freeing up space, but you're also making a positive impact in your community. By choosing the right place to donate, fixing up your items, and timing your contributions, you're helping charities reduce their costs, raise funds, and make sure nothing ends up in the trash unnecessarily. Plus, you’re supporting sustainable living by keeping textile waste to a minimum. Win-win!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process, need help sorting, or want advice on where to donate your items, we're here to make it simple and stress-free. Let’s work together to transform your space—and make your donations count. Ready to start your decluttering journey? Contact Organize by Flo today to learn more about our organizing services and how we can help make your home—and your donations—more meaningful. Let's make Vancouver a cleaner, greener place, one closet at a time!
While I'm not in Vancouver, it's nice to see that there are so many good donation options up there. I've been excited to see that in addition to the standards here in Chattanooga (Goodwill, the many, many religious-based thrift stores), there's now a thriving Chattanooga Free Store, a mutual aid organization that accepts and distributes donations of clothing, personal care items, books, housewares, and medical supplies. Too often, I've seen people hold off on donating "good" clothing, feeling like it's wasteful, as though people in need (or of meager means) don't also have to attend funerals or go to job interviews or just want to feel put-together. I always encourage clients to let their castoffs be blessings to someone else.…
I love donating used clothing as well as buying it! Thanks for reminding us about what condition donated items should be in.
These are excellent resources. I'm in New York, but some of the places you mentioned are available here, too.
Our local recyclying center now accepts textile recycling. There are places like Retold or Trashie where you can send things. But it's even more convenient when you have somewhere local to bring them to.