clothing donation bins
September 16, 2021 6:53 PM Subscribe
What is the best (or least-bad) drop-off donation box where I can leave a bunch of clothes in the Boston area?
I Marie Kondo'd a ton of clean clothes but they are still physically here in bags. Every minute that they remain in the house, the risk increases that they will spontaneously reabsorb into my belongings.
In an ideal world where I was a higher-functioning person I would donate them to Boomerang's. However, right now I seriously can't deal with the logistics or with my interpersonal clutter shame of going during their designated receiving hours and handing my stuff off to an actual person. Or, I would just leave them out on the curb in front of my house but I'm too embarrassed (I know, but I have a lot of feelings around clothes and clutter and belongings and I just want this stuff OUT).
So, I'd like to put them in one of those drop-off donation bins you see around. I'm aware that a lot of the organizations that collect from these boxes are various flavors of sketchy and bad so I'm looking for specific endorsements. I don't have any delusions of actual do-gooding here, just hoping to find a route that keeps the clothes slightly more useful than going to landfill. If there is truly no box I can leave these in that won't have a negative impact on humanity, I will be disappointed but willing to hear that. I have a car and don't mind driving a while.
I Marie Kondo'd a ton of clean clothes but they are still physically here in bags. Every minute that they remain in the house, the risk increases that they will spontaneously reabsorb into my belongings.
In an ideal world where I was a higher-functioning person I would donate them to Boomerang's. However, right now I seriously can't deal with the logistics or with my interpersonal clutter shame of going during their designated receiving hours and handing my stuff off to an actual person. Or, I would just leave them out on the curb in front of my house but I'm too embarrassed (I know, but I have a lot of feelings around clothes and clutter and belongings and I just want this stuff OUT).
So, I'd like to put them in one of those drop-off donation bins you see around. I'm aware that a lot of the organizations that collect from these boxes are various flavors of sketchy and bad so I'm looking for specific endorsements. I don't have any delusions of actual do-gooding here, just hoping to find a route that keeps the clothes slightly more useful than going to landfill. If there is truly no box I can leave these in that won't have a negative impact on humanity, I will be disappointed but willing to hear that. I have a car and don't mind driving a while.
Not a drop box, but if you sign up with thredUP and get a closet clean-out bag, you can choose to donate items they reject for resale.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 9:22 PM on September 16, 2021
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 9:22 PM on September 16, 2021
You've got to put them in the car; drop them at Goodwill. At least in Maine, most of it sells, only a small percentage is bundled for sale overseas. People think of their used clothes and goods as a precious gift. Really, they are doing you the favor of recycling as much of it as they can. The US is awash is excess consumer goods, esp. clothing.
I'm sorry you feel so stressed, this is a common issue that most of us experience. The best thing going forward is to buy less stuff.
posted by theora55 at 11:12 PM on September 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
I'm sorry you feel so stressed, this is a common issue that most of us experience. The best thing going forward is to buy less stuff.
posted by theora55 at 11:12 PM on September 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
I have a car and don't mind driving a while.
Drive to Waltham, drop them off behind Global Thrift. No need to talk to anyone or worry about hours, unless you want a receipt for tax deduction purposes.
Enjoy Moody Street while you're there! Lots of outdoor dining options.
posted by solotoro at 3:00 AM on September 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Drive to Waltham, drop them off behind Global Thrift. No need to talk to anyone or worry about hours, unless you want a receipt for tax deduction purposes.
Enjoy Moody Street while you're there! Lots of outdoor dining options.
posted by solotoro at 3:00 AM on September 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Many of my Boston-area neighbors like donating to Big Brother Big Sister Foundation. They take clothes: "All clothing. All Sizes. All Seasons. Night clothes & robes. Shoes, Boots, Slippers, Sneakers." The clothes seem to be translated into money that helps actual programs, and the porch pickup is convenient. There are also BBBSF authorized area donation bins in S. Boston and Chestnut Hill.
posted by cocoagirl at 4:38 AM on September 17, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by cocoagirl at 4:38 AM on September 17, 2021 [4 favorites]
The gas station in Alewife has a bunch of drop off bins - that's where I always donated my clothing when I lived in Cambridge.
You can also go a little further down and there's a drop off box for More Than Words if you have books, media, etc., that you're looking to donate.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 5:04 AM on September 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
You can also go a little further down and there's a drop off box for More Than Words if you have books, media, etc., that you're looking to donate.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 5:04 AM on September 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
If you end up donating them in person, just pretend -- silently, since there's no need to explain to anyone really -- that you collected items from several of your friends and neighbors and are bringing them all together.
posted by amtho at 5:56 AM on September 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by amtho at 5:56 AM on September 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Seconding Big Brothers Big Sisters. They pick up right from your doorstep. They also take linens, household goods, books, and more, which can be really helpful for further Marie Kondo-ing.
Also, I had a family member who was part of their program when they were little and it was a wonderful support for them.
posted by carrioncomfort at 9:48 AM on September 17, 2021
Also, I had a family member who was part of their program when they were little and it was a wonderful support for them.
posted by carrioncomfort at 9:48 AM on September 17, 2021
I've dropped a bunch of clothing and shoes in these bins since their explanation for what happens to the stuff sounds pretty reasonable: https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/recycling-clothing-and-textiles
posted by healthytext at 8:58 AM on September 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by healthytext at 8:58 AM on September 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
A lot of the charities that take clothing just bundle and resell it overseas and use the cash. Goodwill does less of this because their business model is to supply stores, but they sort it and bulk sell what doesn’t go into the shops.
Here’s another idea. If you happen to live in a town that has a dump, see if there is a “freebie barn” or shed or area. One New England town I lived in has so much awesome stuff at the dump we called it the Mall. Actual people actually sort through and use the stuff.
Trying to maximize/optimize clothing donation though will make you feel nuts. Like theora55 said - we’re drowning in stuff and a lot of it doesn’t have much value any more.
posted by Miko at 10:04 PM on September 20, 2021
Here’s another idea. If you happen to live in a town that has a dump, see if there is a “freebie barn” or shed or area. One New England town I lived in has so much awesome stuff at the dump we called it the Mall. Actual people actually sort through and use the stuff.
Trying to maximize/optimize clothing donation though will make you feel nuts. Like theora55 said - we’re drowning in stuff and a lot of it doesn’t have much value any more.
posted by Miko at 10:04 PM on September 20, 2021
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posted by Hypatia at 6:58 PM on September 16, 2021