Did you know that clothing is one of the easiest materials to recycle and yet it makes up 5% of all trash in U.S. landfills? Americans throw away approximately 12 to 13 million tons of clothing each year, in fact, when instead those clothes could be donated to your local charity organizations.

Giving local clothing donations to charity is good for everyone who receives help, and donating is great for the environment, too. If you’re not sure why you should think locally and globally when you donate, here are three great reasons to give:

1. It’s good for your community. In the United States alone, there are millions who live in poverty. Donating clothing is one way to serve a basic need in your community for adults and children alike. Not only are gently used clothing donations given directly to certain populations, but they are sometimes also sent to secondhand stores to be sold. These charity-run shops take in about 20% of all local clothing donations, and they are able to use the proceeds to help others in their communities.

2. It’s good for the planet. By donating to other people, you’re not only helping out your community. You can also keep the planet clean by diverting waste from the landfill to others. Even if your used clothing donations aren’t given directly for helping families in need or sold in secondhand shops, it can be broken down and recycled into new material.

3. It’s good for you. It’s easy to get bogged down by purchases and let our possessions control us. When we donate what we’re not using on a regular basis, we take back that control. Even if you don’t think you have anything to give, be sure to go through your closets at least once per year to clear out the clutter. You may be surprised by what you find — and there’s a good chance someone else could use those discarded items.

Have more questions about giving local clothing donations to your area charities? Leave a comment below.