Spring cleaning season is among us! Garbage bags full of unwanted clothing items will soon be taking over your apartment and you’ll be wondering what to do with them. If given the option to throw away your old clothes or donate them, the answer is simple: donate.
According to NYC.gov, New Yorkers throw out 200,000 tons of clothing and textiles each year; a staggering average of 46 pounds per person. There’s no need to increase that statistic. New York City is still recovering from the height of the pandemic, with unemployment rates continuing to climb and houselessness at an all-time high.
Thankfully, there are local organizations working tirelessly to decrease these numbers. Well Cloth’d, a non-profit that operates out of BKLYN Commons’ Prospect Lefferts Garden/ Flatbush location, donates approximately 1,200 pounds of clothing per year.
When asked why it’s important to donate unwanted clothing, Shayaa Jeffrey, who co-owns Granru Market, responded, “What else are you going to do with them? Throwing away clothing is bad for the Earth and there are a lot of people in need of clothing who wouldn’t have access if it weren’t for donations.”
Donating used clothing and/or textiles makes a difference in the community, which is what BKLYN Commons is all about. Your discarded clothing could become someone’s proper interview or school attire. Your clean, used bedding, towels, or rugs could assist a family in need.
Plus, donating clothing and textiles is simple! Here are six places to donate clothing in near BKLYN Commons Prospect Lefferts Gardens/Flatbush coworking space:
Location: 495 Flatbush Ave (inside BKLYN Commons PLG)
Donations taken by appointment only. To schedule a donation appointment, contact: info@wellclothd.com
Accepted items include:
- Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s clothing
- Clothing and fashion accessories
- Unused undergarments, socks, and toiletries
Items NOT accepted:
- Textiles (blankets, rugs, etc.)
- ‘Club attire’
- Clothing/accessories that are ripped, stained, torn, or pilling
- Used undergarments, socks, and toiletries
Location: 618 Flatbush Avenue (Flatbush Avenue and Fenimore Avenue)
Open for shopping and donations 12:00pm-8:00pm daily
Donations will be compensated with a 10%, 20%, or 35% store discount
Accepted items include:
- Men and women’s clothing
- Artwork
- Shoes
- Bags and purses
- Accessories
Items NOT accepted:
- intimates
3. HELPSY Clothing Donation Bin
Location: 513 Flatbush Ave. (BP parking lot at Flatbush Avenue and Lefferts Avenue)
Open 365 days a year. Simply toss your donations into the bins.
Accepted items include:
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Coats
- Accessories
- Bedding
- Linens and curtains
- Towels
- Rugs
4. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Clothing Drive
Location: 230 Classon Ave.
Schedule a FREE pick-up! Appointments can be made before midnight for the following 24 hours. No pick-ups on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day.
Accepted items include:
- Men’s/Women’s/Children’s clothing
- Shoes
- Linens
- Sheets
- Towels
- Purses/ belts/ ties/ wallets
5. Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
Location: Prospect Park West and Flatbush Avenue (Northwest corner of Prospect Park, under the arch).
Open Saturdays year-round 9:00am-12:30pm. In cases of severe weather, collection may close early or be cancelled.
Items accepted include:
- Clean and dry clothing
- Paired shoes
- Linens
- Handbags
- Belts
- Other reusable textiles
Items NOT accepted:
- Fabric rolls/scraps of any size
- Rugs
- Carpeting
- Pillows
- Comforters
- Luggage
6. Buy Nothing Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn NY
Location: Facebook
Gift, ask, or share gratitude with your neighbors! This group is open to people who live within these boundaries:
- Empire Boulevard to the North
- Clarkson Avenue to the South
- New York Avenue to the East
- Ocean Avenue to the West
As Jeffrey said, making a clothing donation or providing access to free or affordable name-brand items contributes to happiness and makes people feel good. Donating clothing is a small way to make a large contribution to the community.
Have another clothing donation suggestion? Let BKLYN Commons know by leaving a comment below!
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BKLYN Commons is home to over 300 unique businesses run by entrepreneurs, creators, change makers, and forward-thinking innovators who believe in harnessing the power of community.
