Make your wardrobe a happy place by removing what you no longer wear and donating it to a worthy cause, says sustainability expert Jo Linehan
We’ve all been there – searching endlessly through the wardrobe for that pair of jeans you know are in there somewhere. Rifling through t-shirts and tops that still have the tags on. Struggling to close the wardrobe door but feeling like you have nothing to wear.
Our wardrobes can be our happy place, the space we go to when we want to put on an outfit that makes us feel special, beautiful, powerful, or comfy. But more often than not, we avoid our wardrobes because they are too full, too messy, too disorganised, and too overwhelming.
So, what if I told you there was a way to make your wardrobe a happy place again, all while raising money for a fantastic and worthy cause?
Cue TK Maxx’s long running Give Up Clothes For Good initiative. Since 1997, TK Maxx has taken our unwanted and unloved quality clothing and homewares and turned them into vital funds for Enable Ireland.
The Closet Reset
Ready to get started? First, set aside some time to go through your wardrobe and create a pile of items you no longer wear, like, or want. You can also include homewares—from antiques and ornaments to cushions and rugs.
It can be hard to let go of pieces we have invested in. A good rule to follow is this: If you haven’t worn a piece in the last six months, let it go. It deserves to be worn and loved, and by passing it on, you can help it find a good home.
Once you’ve chosen your donation pieces, bag them up and take them to your nearest TK Maxx store. Simply deposit your bag of pre-loved goodies in the Give Up Clothes for Good drop off point, and TK Maxx will do the rest.
From store, the donations are delivered to Enable Ireland where they are sorted for resale through the Enable Ireland stores or recycled through their recycling partner.
How your clothing makes a difference
Each bag of donations could raise up to €20 for Enable Ireland. These vital funds support specific projects directly benefiting children and young people with disabilities and their families in communities across Ireland, including funding purpose-built children’s service centres, transport services, specialist equipment, and assistive technology.
Since the Give Up Clothes For Good initiative was launched in 1997, over €4.5 million has been raised for Enable Ireland, supporting over 29,000 children and young people with disabilities and their families.
Not only does donating your clothing and homewares free up space in your wardrobe and home, but it’s also a great way to ensure your pieces are loved and enjoyed for as long as possible.
Sustainable fashion
Extending the life cycle of our clothing is also one of the best ways we can help contribute to the environment and reduce waste. It’s a no-brainer.
So, this spring, make your decluttering routine do good for you, your community, and the planet. By parting ways with the pieces you no longer need, you can make a real impact.
To locate your nearest TK Maxx store and find out more about the Give Up Clothes for Good initiative, visit tkmaxx.ie.
