For many Americans, the holidays embody a sense of joy, wonder, and generosity that ought to be carried out through the whole year. A recent survey found that around 43% of those asked give more during the holidays than the rest of the year, with 44% stating that they give the same amount regardless of the season. Many spend the holidays giving gifts to our friends and families; here are some reasons to give donations to charities this holiday season.
Needless Waste
Every year, America throws away roughly 10.5 million tons of clothing and other textiles to landfills across the country. While nearly 100% of these clothing articles could have been recycled, only 15% of the average American’s wardrobe gets recycled. As one of the world’s largest countries, we also happen to be among the largest producers of needless waste in the world.
The Benefits of Charitable Donations
Used clothing donations in 2006 spared approximately 2.5 billion pounds of fabric from landfills. With many of America’s landfills rapidly filling up, every article of clothing donated is a small victory for environmentally-keen Americans. Up to 45% of recycled clothing is worn regularly as secondhand clothing; even clothing with minor wear and discoloration can be given a new lease on life in many circumstances. Although many give charitable donations for altruistic reasons, any donation worth more than $250 can qualify as a tax write-off so long as the individual in question has a receipt: proof that good deeds don’t go unnoticed.
How to Donate Clothing to Charity
Donating clothing is a simple matter of determining what you no longer need. As a general rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn an item in six months to a year you might want to consider donating it as someone may need it more. Many charities have dedicated drop-off locations for donations, although there are an increasing number of clothing donations that pick up at home. Those donations that pick up at home schedule a pick-up time at the donor’s convenience. Let’s remember what the holidays are about this season: family, love, and generosity — even the smallest act of kindness can mean the world to someone in need.