Check out this photo essay Debra Baida, Professional Organizer made about her tour of the San Francisco-based processing facility of Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties.
Although you may be concerned that some of the items do go to Rag Sellers, many do go to the GoodWill stores.
The best news? Debra tells us that
"Donated items arrive at Goodwill's central processing facility in San Francisco for sorting, inspection, and distribution. The work is done by participants in Goodwill's diverse job training programs. Part of the mission is to create "solutions to poverty through workforce creation" and to "build sustainable livelihoods." As I witnessed during the tour, this training occurs at all phases throughout the facility."
So your donations also help people develop employable skills! To me that is a great reason to donate old clothing and not let my home become a "graveyard" for rotting clothes that produce nothing but dust!
What the best way to ensure they don't become rags? Donate them while they are still in good condition! Don't wait till they are full of moth holes and the elastic in the waste bands no longer works : )
When was the last time you sorted through your clothes for donations? During this change of seasons is a GREAT time to let go of those items you didn't wear all summer and the items you don't want to wear this winter. : )
Read Debra's post and see more photos here.
Related Post from the Green Guide: What happens to Donated Clothes?
