Upcycle your Clothes with The Wardrobe

Did you know that the world produces 92 million tons of textile waste every year? 87% of the materials and fibers used to make clothing will end up in either incinerators or landfills, while only 1% of clothes will get recycled into new garments (theroundup.org).

That’s why The Wardrobe is on a mission to reduce fashion waste. While we always need your gently used clothing, we can also take your imperfect clothing and recycle it for a cause. We prevent 200,000+ pounds of clothing each year from ending up in a landfill or incinerator – equaling the weight of about 8 school busses! All upcycled clothing directly funds our mission of eliminating clothing insecurity.

Here are three ways to upcycle with us!

#1) Donate your upcyclables with your regular donations at any Wardrobe store

#2) Bring your items to one of our upcycling bins

#3) Host an upcycling bin in your community to benefit The Wardrobe

Option #1: Donate your Upcyclables at a Wardrobe Store

We often hear that donors bring us their “good” stuff and take their “not-so-good” stuff elsewhere. We are now a one-stop donation center. This means more convenience for you with a guarantee that your donations (no matter the quality) will directly support our mission, either as new outfits for our guests or as financial support for our mission. Let’s extend the life-cycle of all your clothes!

How do I donate these items?

We ask that you place all recyclables in bags labeled “Upcycle.” That label will let our staff know exactly what’s inside! Not sure if your items are recyclable? You can still put them in with your regular donations and we can decide for you. Or email us at Drives@WardrobePA.org

Please donate to The Wardrobe stores during our regular hours of Monday-Saturday, 11am-6pm. Our full donation guidelines and store locations can be found here. 

Can I still get a tax-deductible receipt for these items?

Of course! You can fill one out in our stores or online.

What qualifies as a textile recyclable?

  • Any item (clothes, footwear, accessories) that has an imperfection. Examples include being stained, faded, stretched out, shrunk, torn, or ripped.
  • Items with missing size tags, missing buttons, broken zippers, handles, and straps.
  • Mismatched items (like socks that lost their mate in the dryer or a 2-piece set missing one of its items)
  • Fabric scraps
  • Outdated clothing
  • Sheets/pillowcases
  • Blankets/Comforters/Quilts
  • Curtains/Drapes
  • Aprons
  • Dish cloths/Cloth napkins/Table linens

Option #2: Donate to an Upcycling Bin!

If you live on the east coast – Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and South Carolina your clothing can also do good while staying out of landfills! The map below lists over 146 bins. You can also access the map here.

How do these clothes support The Wardrobe?

Helpsy receives proceeds from these bins and provides financial support to The Wardrobe. It is not guaranteed that clothes placed in these bins will come directly to The Wardrobe.

How do I donate into the bin?

The bins are open 24/7 for your donations (unless placed behind a gate). Please place clothing into the chute as the front of the bins are locked. Please do not leave clothing outside of the bins.

Option #3: Host a Temporary or Permanent Upcycling Bin!

Want to create an even larger impact? Host a permanent bin or set up a temporary one as part of a recycling event!

How can I host a bin in my community?

Upcycling bins attract potential customers to your property, and you will be doing your part to support your state and municipality’s waste reduction goals.

Bins are approximately 5 x 5 x 6 ft. There is no limit to how many bins can be hosted at a time and depends on the property. To discuss placement for a permanent or temporary bin, please email drives@WardrobePA.org.

Place a permanent bin:

Helpsy has more than 1,000 bins located from New Hampshire to Virginia. They work with you to choose a convenient location, usually a parking space, on your property. Helpsy provides all equipment, service, insurance, permitting, and monthly rent for the space. When clothes are collected, The Wardrobe receives a portion of their proceeds to support our mission.

Host a bin for a recycling event:

Perfect for businesses that don’t have a permanent space for an outside bin. Helpsy will drop off a bin and you publicize the Recycling Event to the community. At the end of the Recycling Event (day, week, month – you choose!), Helpsy picks up the bin!

How do these clothes support The Wardrobe?

Helpsy receives proceeds from these bins and provides financial support to The Wardrobe. It is not guaranteed that clothes placed in these bins will come directly to The Wardrobe.

How do I donate into the bin?

Please place clothing into the chute as the front of the bins are locked. Please do not leave clothing outside of the bins. Access to bins may depend on where bin is placed.