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AIBU?

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Original poster

Unwanted clothes

62 replies

Sweetpea70 · 15/04/2026 13:07

What is your opinion on donating clothes, or taking them some where like clothes for cash? I'm asking from a environmentally point of view, not a financial one.
I've given up with Vinted, Ebay & car boot sales for most stuff. The market is flooded with over consumerism.
Thinking about cash for clothes, because at least you get something back.
Trouble is, you read about how much of it, & also items left in clothing banks, gets shipped abroad. This has caused their own local textiles businesses to collapse. I saw one article where anything unwanted ends up on a beach!
Charity shops are inundated with stuff too.
We have wrecked the planet with too much stuff...

OP posts:
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PartoftheBand · 15/04/2026 13:49

Sweetpea70 · 15/04/2026 13:18

I've looked at that before and only ever get redirected to a Usa site. Do you know if there is a Uk site?

Show quote history

There are local sites for both Freecycle and Freegle, which is similar, for all over the country. I agree this is a great way to get rid of old clothes and they'll definitely be used. Never heard of Cash for Clothes.
https://www.freecycle.org/
https://www.ilovefreegle.org/

Freecycle: Front Door

https://www.freecycle.org

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 15/04/2026 13:46

There is a local FB page in our area that people can give away children’s clothes, shoes, toys etc. In principle it’s a great idea but it is often filled with replies like ‘I will take it but you need to deliver’ 🙄

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 15/04/2026 13:44

My plan for unwanted /outgrown:
Anything in a really good condition, vinted for £4-5. I want it gone, that feels like a price to make my time worth it. Gets left on for a couple of months then removed and goes to charity shop. Rags /stained/badly worn clothes to clothing bins.

im trying to buy from vinted /ebay rather than new. Issues of growing children needing full new wardrobes make that harder to do, but look there first.

And for myself, I need to lose 2kg before the summer proper starts, I’m not buying new clothes in a bigger size so I’ve got to get into old things. (There is Easter chocolate all over my house making this plan harder to stick to!)

weareallcats · 15/04/2026 13:37

jubileesolihull.org/childrens-storehouse/

weareallcats · 15/04/2026 13:36

There is a charity near me (assume that there are others in other areas) that works a bit like a food bank for clothes - people donate and then families in need are referred. I’ll see if I can find a link.

GenieGenealogy · 15/04/2026 13:27

You are not wrong that we have wrecked the planet with too much stuff. That mindset needs to change going forward. You do not need 5 dresses all the same in different colours. You do not need a complete new wardrobe for each holiday, or a new outfit for each night out. People doing "hauls" of shite they have bought from Shein or Temu should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. We should all be buying less, buying second hand where possible.

However that doesn't address the issue of what to do with clothes already in existence. Anything is better than throwing them in landfill. Charity shops yes are overwhelmed but will still appreciate donations of good quality clothing in good condition. Or Vinted or Ebay. Or even putting them in one of the clothes bins. You won't get much from cash for clothes type places as the prices have plummeted because there is just so much excess around.

Original poster
Sweetpea70 · 15/04/2026 13:18

Sunshineandoranges · 15/04/2026 13:14

Offer them on freecycle ... no hassle and definitely will be used

I've looked at that before and only ever get redirected to a Usa site. Do you know if there is a Uk site?

OP posts:
CookingFatCat · 15/04/2026 13:18

I agree. Not sure what the answer is.
Just so much stuff in every shop in my local area alone. Then multiply and I get 🤯
The time is surely to stop producing new and concentrate on using what we have ?

Original poster
Sweetpea70 · 15/04/2026 13:14

Saltedcaramelicecream · 15/04/2026 13:11

I used to sell all the kids clothes on Vinted but I’ve started taking them to the charity shop or recycling point.

Everyone on Vinted wants everyone for £1 and it’s really not worth my time anymore.

Trying to sell on Vinted is so time consuming, with all the photos & that. I have a lovely coat for a toddler. There's about 500 similar items. We're trying to buy less stuff now, it's getting ridiculous.

OP posts:
Sunshineandoranges · 15/04/2026 13:14

Offer them on freecycle ... no hassle and definitely will be used

Saltedcaramelicecream · 15/04/2026 13:11

I used to sell all the kids clothes on Vinted but I’ve started taking them to the charity shop or recycling point.

Everyone on Vinted wants everyone for £1 and it’s really not worth my time anymore.

Katemax82 · 15/04/2026 13:10

I'm curious about what's the answer...apart from buy less stuff (difficult with growing kids)