If you’re looking at your closet and are feeling the urge to purge, it might be a good idea. But you’ll want to think twice before tossing those formerly favorite jeans in the trash. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generated more than 13 million tons of clothing and footwear waste. Thirteen percent of those clothing items were recycled. The rest? That percentage ended up in a landfill. Believe it or not, 10% of CO2 emissions are generated by the fashion industry alone. That’s more than aviation and shipping combined. That, of course, promotes the progression of climate change. “If you haven’t worn the item within a whole season, then you should definitely get rid of it. So if you’re at the end of summer and you didn’t wear that item at all, that’s definitely something that you should put in a pile and that you should donate and get rid of,” Ann Margolis, boutique manager of Portaluca, said. Another great way to help cut carbon emissions? Shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill or local, secondhand clothing shops like Portaluca. This local boutique cuts down on clothing waste all while helping to empower local women in Cincinnati. This boutique works hand in hand with Dress for Success and runs purely off your clothing donations. Dress for Success gets the first pick of your donated clothes, and Portaluca takes and sells the rest. If you’ve never donated clothes before, there are plenty of benefits. “You feel good.” said Margolis, “You can get a tax donation, so that’s a nice thing, and you’re helping people who might not be as fortunate as you to buy an item that they might not be able to afford.” Buying secondhand clothing saves you money, too. “Sometimes you can find some really great bargains. Something that could be in the store for $100 might be here for $8,” Margolis said. “All of our items are a set price. Shirts, dresses, depending on what the item is, it can range from $8.00 to $15.00. A dress would be a flat fee of $15.00. We do sometimes mark up slightly if it’s a higher name brand, but you can get some really great deals.” If you’re going to buy new, it’s best to be thoughtful about your purchases. “People sometimes only wear items one or two times. They talk about a disposable wardrobe. You know you really should buy clothes that you’re gonna wear for a long time. You should buy classic items that you’re gonna have in your closet. Definitely have a couple of trendy things in your closet, but those should definitely be at a less expensive price point, so then you’re not wasting your money on clothes that you’re only going to wear one or two times,” Margolis said.Even just one clothing item either donated or purchased helps to promote a better world for all.
Believe it or not, 10% of CO2 emissions are generated by the fashion industry alone. That’s more than aviation and shipping combined. That, of course, promotes the progression of climate change.
“If you haven’t worn the item within a whole season, then you should definitely get rid of it. So if you’re at the end of summer and you didn’t wear that item at all, that’s definitely something that you should put in a pile and that you should donate and get rid of,” Ann Margolis, boutique manager of Portaluca, said.
Another great way to help cut carbon emissions? Shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill or local, secondhand clothing shops like Portaluca. This local boutique cuts down on clothing waste all while helping to empower local women in Cincinnati. This boutique works hand in hand with Dress for Success and runs purely off your clothing donations. Dress for Success gets the first pick of your donated clothes, and Portaluca takes and sells the rest.
If you’ve never donated clothes before, there are plenty of benefits.
“You feel good.” said Margolis, “You can get a tax donation, so that’s a nice thing, and you’re helping people who might not be as fortunate as you to buy an item that they might not be able to afford.”
Buying secondhand clothing saves you money, too.
“Sometimes you can find some really great bargains. Something that could be in the store for $100 might be here for $8,” Margolis said. “All of our items are a set price. Shirts, dresses, depending on what the item is, it can range from $8.00 to $15.00. A dress would be a flat fee of $15.00. We do sometimes mark up slightly if it’s a higher name brand, but you can get some really great deals.”
If you’re going to buy new, it’s best to be thoughtful about your purchases.
“People sometimes only wear items one or two times. They talk about a disposable wardrobe. You know you really should buy clothes that you’re gonna wear for a long time. You should buy classic items that you’re gonna have in your closet. Definitely have a couple of trendy things in your closet, but those should definitely be at a less expensive price point, so then you’re not wasting your money on clothes that you’re only going to wear one or two times,” Margolis said.
Even just one clothing item either donated or purchased helps to promote a better world for all.
