It’s no secret that our planet could use a little bit of TLC. Pollution is one of the most widespread causes of disease and death for humans, and it’s even begun to impact the animal kingdom, too. Land pollution is the culprit in many cases, and part of this comes from the fact that many people tend to throw away what they no longer need when they could, in fact, find other uses for discarded items.
One type of item that should be thrown away far less than it is would be clothing. Clothing and textiles account for as much as 12 to 13 million tons of trash per year, when those garments and items could be salvaged easily. Clothing, whether made from natural or synthetic fibers, is also fairly simple to recycle even if it can’t be worn again.
Besides the environment, however, there is another reason why clothing shouldn’t be thrown away. Millions of people right here in the United States live in poverty, and many have trouble with fulfilling their basic survival needs. One of those needs is clothing, which can be difficult to afford. Populations such as military families and veterans sometimes rely on donations of any kind in order to make ends meet.
As a result, many charity organizations collect clothing to help lessen the negative environmental impact of textile waste and as a way of helping families in need. Groups that collect veterans clothing donations help to ensure that vets and their families have what they need.
Research shows that about 4.7 billion pounds of clothing are donated in the U.S. each year. While it may sound like enough for everyone, not all charities get the items that they need. Some items aren’t required by local populations, so veterans clothing donations don’t get the garments they need. Other times, charities have an excess in clothing donations, so they sell what they can’t use or recycle what isn’t salvageable. Before giving, make sure to ask what your local clothing donations charities need, so you can ensure that what you give the most necessary items to worthy causes.
If you have questions about veterans clothing donations or other charities that help the environment, be sure to find a worthy cause to donate to in your area. You can also leave a comment below for some great suggestions on donations.
