When I started writing about why donating clothes is not sustainable without introspection and change, I got asked “what do you suggest that I do with older clothes that I’ve had before I went zero waste?” A Zero Waste response could be: wear them. Fully use up your existing stuff so there is nothing to donate.

But this isn’t super useful, especially in a time of fast fashion. It’s almost unheard of for someone to suggest you keep wearing your old clothes until they’re worn out- why would you when there’s seemingly always more.

This video is from The Vancouver Waste Transfer Station where trucks dump garbage collection. Putting your clothes in a bag and dropping it off at a store is similar in action to putting recycling or garbage into a bin for pick up and sending it here, “somewhere else.” Only there is no somewhere else.

Taking stuff to a donation center can often emotionally act in a way that lets you off the hook for your consumer choices. Dropping stuff off can make you feel comfortable “because someone else will use it.” It’s an easy way to offload accountability and not take responsibility for the environmental impact of what you buy; because you don’t see or experience the resulting effects.

If donating stuff stopped being an easy out would you be more selective of what you let into your life? Donation centers are an option, but just because they exist does not mean they’re consequence free or that their existence justifies unconscious consumption.

There are many ways to responsibly give something a second life (consign, sell, trade, repurpose, donate etc.) and that includes making sure items are in good condition through mending and repair so that they're more likely to actually be purchased rather than end up in the landfill.

Before you let an item go take the opportunity to understand and reflect on why you have each unwanted item. Use this information to make better choices so that discernment happens BEFORE you allow an item into your life. Part of becoming Zero Waste or Minimalist is facing the decisions you made in the past and learning how to move forward so the cycle stops.