Recycling Awareness Week is the perfect time to tackle that overflowing closet while making money and helping the planet!
Why Your Closet Matters This Week
Right now, your closet probably holds around 81 pounds of clothes you’ll never wear again. That’s the average for every American! Instead of letting them collect dust (or worse, throwing them away), this week is your chance to:
- Make real money from pieces just sitting there
- Help your community by donating quality items
- Protect the environment by keeping textiles out of landfills
- Feel amazing about your organized, purposeful wardrobe
The Simple 6-Pile System (Anyone Can Do This!)
Grab 5 boxes or bags and label them. As you go through your closet, every item goes in one pile:
PILE 1: “SELL IT” – Your Money Makers
Put these items here: Designer brands, expensive pieces you barely wore, anything with tags still on, vintage finds, formal wear
Why this pile rocks: These items can earn you $20-200+ each! The secondhand market is booming – it’ll hit $77 billion by 2025.
What to do: Take to local consignment shops or try online platforms like TheRealReal
PILE 2: “DONATE IT” – Your Good Karma Pile
Put these items here: Basic clothes in good shape, kids’ outgrown items, shoes that still have life, everyday pieces you’re just tired of
Why this matters: Goodwill alone employs over 120,000 people thanks to donations like yours. Plus, you get tax deductions!
What to do: Drop off at Goodwill, Salvation Army, or local charities
PILE 3: “GIFT IT” – Your Friends & Family Pile
Put these items here: Maternity clothes (for expecting friends), professional wear (for job hunters), size-specific items you know someone needs
Why it’s special: 100% of these items will be used and appreciated – way better than retail where 30% of clothes never sell
What to do: Text friends with photos saying “Would any of these work for you?”
PILE 4: “RECYCLE IT” – Your Environmental Hero Pile
Put these items here: Items with holes, permanent stains, stretched-out pieces, old underwear and socks, anything too damaged to wear
Why this saves the planet: 95% of textiles can be recycled! Don’t let them become part of the 5.8% of landfill waste that’s clothing.
What to do: Drop off at H&M stores (they take any brand!) or use services like Trashie’s mail-in bags
PILE 5: “SPECIAL PROGRAM” – Your Targeted Impact Pile
Put these items here: Bras, athletic wear, denim, prom dresses, business suits
Why specialty matters: These programs are designed specifically for these items and often have the biggest impact
What to do: Victoria’s Secret takes bras, Nike has athletic wear programs, Dress for Success wants professional clothes
PILE 6: “TRASHIE IT” – Your Planet + Points Pile
Put these items here: Literally anything you’re not sure what to do with, like random old tees, that pile of mystery socks, or things that feel too far gone for donation.
Why I love this option: Trashie makes recycling stupid easy. You order one of their mail-in bags, toss in all your misfit items, ship it off, and boom, you’ve just kept textiles out of the landfill. The best part? They actually reward you with TrashieCash points you can use for discounts on sustainable brands. It’s like getting store credit for saving the planet.
What to do: Grab a Trashie bag, fill it with your “what even is this?” items, drop it in the mail, and pat yourself on the back. I use them all the time because it’s fast, I don’t have to overthink what goes where, and honestly, I’m here for the points. Sustainable fashion with perks? Yes, please.
Your Recycling Awareness Week Action Plan
🗓️ MONDAY: Get Ready (15 minutes)
- Grab your 5 boxes/bags
- Make labels: “Sell,” “Donate,” “Gift,” “Recycle,” “Special”
- Put on energizing music
- Set a timer for your first 1-hour session
🗓️ TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY: The Great Sort (2-3 hours total)
- Start with one closet section at a time
- Ask yourself: “Have I worn this in the last year?”
- If no → into a pile it goes!
- If you’re unsure → try it on right now
🗓️ THURSDAY: Clean & Prep (1 hour)
For your “Sell” pile: Wash, steam, check for any damage For everything else: Quick wash or spot clean as needed
🗓️ FRIDAY: Make It Happen (2 hours)
- Research consignment shops nearby
- Take photos of items for friends
- Look up donation center hours
- Find your nearest textile recycling spot
🗓️ WEEKEND: Drop-Off Day!
Plan an efficient route and get everything to its new home. Bring your phone to document the process for social media!
Quick Decision Guide (When You’re Stuck)
“Should I sell this or donate it?”
- Worth over $20 and in great shape? → Sell it
- Is everything else in good condition? → Donate it
“Is this too worn out to donate?”
- If you wouldn’t give it to a good friend → Recycle it
- If it’s just outdated but wearable → Donate it
“Should I keep this ‘just in case’?”
- Haven’t worn it in a year? → Let it go
- Doesn’t fit your current life? → Let it go
The Amazing Results You’ll See
Financial wins:
- Average consignment earnings: $100-500 per cleanout
- Tax deductions: $200-500 annually for regular donors
- Money saved by not buying duplicates of things you forgot you had
Environmental impact:
- Every cotton t-shirt you divert saves 2,700 liters of water
- Extending clothing life by 9 months cuts environmental impact by 20-30%
- You’re part of solving the problem: Americans throw away 11.3 million tons of clothing yearly
Personal benefits:
- Organized closet where you can find everything
- Only clothes you actually love and wear
- Feel-good vibes from helping others and the planet
Make It Social This Week!
Share your progress with these hashtags:
- #RecyclingAwarenessWeek
- #SustainableFashion
- #ClosetCleanout2025
- #RecycleWeek
Photo ideas:
- Before and after closet shots
- Your 5 piles sorted and ready
- Dropping off donations
- Your earnings from consignment
Common Questions Made Simple
“How much can I actually make?” Designer handbags: $50-300 each | Mid-range clothes: $10-40 each | Basic pieces: Better donated for tax benefits
“What if nothing fits in these categories?” When in doubt, donate it. Better to help someone than let it sit unused.
“Is this really worth my time?” The average person makes $200-400 and gets 20+ hours back per year from having an organized closet. Plus, you’re literally helping save the planet.
“What if I regret getting rid of something?” Studies show people regret keeping things they don’t use way more than getting rid of them. Trust the process!
Your Recycling Week Challenge
Day 1-2: Sort everything into your 5 piles Day 3-4: Clean and prep items
Day 5-7: Get everything to its new home
Bonus challenge: Calculate your impact! Count how many items you diverted from landfills and estimate your earnings.
I hope this helps.
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