Pre-loved clothes can significantly help charities

Textiles recycling supports charity organisations, reduces the strain on our planet and provides vital support services

According to the most recent Charities Aid Foundation report for 2023, and from over 13,000 interviews conducted, over half (55%) had not recently interacted with a charity shop in 2022, whilst nearly a third donated clothes or goods to a charity shop (32%), a quarter (24%) bought an item from a charity shop and 2% volunteered at a charity shop.

There is no doubt that pre-loved clothes provide a sustainable and effective way for charities to raise money. By reusing clothing, we not only reduce waste and environmental impact but also support important charitable causes that benefit communities locally and globally.

It’s so important to donate your unwanted items to charity shops or textiles into an official charity-named recycled clothing bin, as the cost of living crisis has had a huge impact. Across 2022, more than two thirds (69%) of people indicated they would need to make cuts to their spending to help manage bills, including 17% who said they would be likely to cut their charitable donations. In total, a quarter (24%) of people reported they had made, or were considering making, changes to their charitable behaviours. This included reducing or cancelling a regular charity donation (5%) and choosing not to make a one-off donation (10%).

How your pre-loved clothes can help:

Textiles donations: People often donate their used clothing to charity organisations and the proceeds generated from the sale of these clothes go directly to support their charitable activities.

Environmentally friendly: By reusing clothing, we can reduce the demand for new clothing production, which can have a significant environmental impact. The fashion industry is known for its resource-intensive and polluting practices, so buying second-hand helps reduce the environmental footprint associated with clothing production.

Affordable for struggling families: Pre-loved clothing is typically more affordable than brand new items. This makes it accessible to a wider range of people, including those who may be on a tight budget. The lower prices can attract more customers, ultimately leading to more funds for the charity.

Raising awareness: Customers who shop for pre-loved items are often introduced to more in-depth information about the organisation and the work they do.

Promoting sustainability: Buying pre-loved clothing encourages a culture of sustainability. It teaches people to value and extend the life of clothing and reduce the ‘throwaway’ mindset that often leads to excessive waste.

Supporting local projects: Many charity shops are run by organisations who give back to the local community to support vital programmes and services, especially when certain areas of care are lesser known to the public; funds might be directed towards providing meals, shelter, education, support or medical services to those in need.