What happens to our clothing donations in Australia?

Where do unsold donated clothes go?

The percentage of donated clothes that are actually sold in charity shops varies by country and organisation, but on average, only 15-30% of donated clothing is sold in-store, here’s what happens to the rest:

• Exported overseas: 40-60% (approx)
• Recycled into other products: 5-10% (approx)
• Landfill or incinerated: 10-20% (approx)
• Upcycled or repurposed by charities: Less than 5% (approx)

Exported overseas

Approximately 40-60%

Many unsold clothes are sold in bulk to textile merchants who export them to developing countries, often in Africa, South America, and Asia. However, this has become controversial as it can flood local markets, damaging local textile industries and contributing to waste problems abroad.

When donated clothes are sent overseas, they typically go through the following process:

• Bulk sorting and exporting: Charity shops or textile recycling companies sell unsold clothing in bulk to international traders. These traders ship large bales of second-hand clothing to countries, primarily in Africa, South America, and parts of Asia.
• Resale in local markets: Once overseas, the clothes are often sold to local market vendors, who resell them at street markets, known as mitumba (East Africa), ropa Americana (Latin America), or similar terms in different regions. Some garments are affordable alternatives to new clothing, particularly in low-income communities.
• Landfill or recycling: Clothes that can’t be sold or reused end up in dumps—for example, in Ghana’s Kantamanto Market, mountains of unsellable clothing have led to serious waste issues. Some clothes are repurposed into rags, insulation, or stuffing materials, but this is a small percentage.

While exporting donated clothes creates jobs for traders, tailors, and market sellers and provides access to affordable clothing, it also has significant downsides. The influx of cheap second-hand garments often undermines local textile industries, making it difficult for domestic producers to compete. Additionally, much of the clothing is low-quality fast fashion, which is often unsellable and contributes to growing textile waste problems. In places like Ghana’s Kantamanto Market, vast amounts of discarded clothing end up in landfills or are burned, causing environmental harm. While a small portion is repurposed into rags, insulation, or stuffing, most of it ultimately becomes waste.

Recycled into other products

Approximately 5-10%

Some textiles are shredded and turned into industrial rags, insulation material, carpet padding, or stuffing for furniture and car seats.

When donated clothing is deemed unsellable, some textiles are recycled and repurposed into new materials rather than being discarded. This process involves sorting, shredding, and reprocessing fabrics to create useful products.

• Industrial rags: Old cotton garments are often cut into pieces and turned into cleaning cloths and industrial wipers, which are widely used in automotive, manufacturing, and janitorial industries.  It is unlikely these would be used for long periods of time and may be thrown away very quickly, only to biodegrade in landfill, releasing harmful methane into the environment.
• Insulation material: Certain textiles, especially wool and cotton, are processed into thermal and acoustic insulation used in buildings, cars, and even appliances.
• Carpet padding and underlay: Synthetic fibres, such as polyester and nylon, can be broken down and compressed to form cushioning layers beneath carpets.
• Stuffing for furniture and car seats: Shredded textiles are sometimes used as padding for mattresses, furniture upholstery, and automotive seating, providing a sustainable alternative to synthetic foams.

While recycling is an eco-friendly alternative to landfill, it still requires energy-intensive processing and is not a perfect solution. Many garments, particularly those made of blended fibres (like polyester-cotton mixes), are difficult to recycle efficiently. This highlights the importance of choosing durable, high-quality clothing and extending the life of garments before disposal.

Sent to landfill or incinerated

Approximately 10-20%

A significant portion of donated clothing – especially low-quality fast fashion items – ultimately ends up in landfill or is incinerated. These garments are often too damaged, dirty, or made from mixed synthetic fibres that make them unsuitable for resale or recycling.

Reasons donated clothing ends up in landfill or being incinerated includes:

• Poor fabric quality: Many fast fashion items are made from low-cost synthetic fabrics (such as polyester) that degrade quickly and cannot be repurposed into new products.
• Excess donations: Charity shops receive far more clothing than they can process or sell, leading to an overflow that must be discarded.
• Contamination: Clothes that are stained, torn, or mouldy are usually deemed unfit for resale or recycling and are sent to waste facilities.
• Blended fabrics: Materials made from a mix of synthetic and natural fibres are difficult to recycle, as separating them requires specialised technology that is not widely available.

Why textile waste is dire for the environment:

• Landfills are overloaded: Textiles take decades to break down in landfills. Synthetic fabrics like polyester can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing microplastics into the soil and waterways.
• Methane and greenhouse gas emissions: As organic fibres like cotton, wool, and linen break down in landfill, they release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
• Toxic chemicals and dyes: Many garments contain harmful dyes, finishes, and chemicals that can leach into the surrounding environment, polluting groundwater and harming ecosystems.
• Incineration and air pollution: Some clothing is burned instead of being dumped, but this process releases carbon dioxide and toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, worsening air quality and contributing to global warming.

Upcycled or repurposed by charities

Less than <5%

Some organisations run upcycling initiatives where volunteers or designers turn unsellable clothes into new items like tote bags, patchwork quilts, or altered garments.

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Why aren’t my donated clothes sold?

• Oversupply: Charity shops receive far more donations than they can sell.
• Poor quality: A significant portion of donations are fast fashion items that are already worn out or made from low-quality fabrics that don’t resell well.
• Wrong season or style: Clothes that are out of season or don’t match the local demographic may not sell.

Giving your donated clothes a chance to be sold

If you want to give your donated clothes the best chance of being sold by charity shops, follow these simple steps to ensure they are clean, good quality, and suitable for resale:

Choose quality clothing over quantity

• Donate clothes in good condition – Charity shops prefer items that are wearable, stylish, and in demand.
• Avoid donating damaged clothing – If an item is stained, torn, or heavily worn, it’s unlikely to be sold.

Wash and prepare your donated clothes

• Make sure clothes are clean and fresh – Charity shops may not have the resources to wash donated items.
• Remove pet hair, lint, and odours – This increases the chances of an item being sold quickly.
• Fold neatly or place on hangers – Presentable items are more appealing to shoppers.

Donate clothing that’s in season

• Think about the time of year – Shops sell winter coats in winter and summer dresses in summer.
• Avoid off-season items – Unseasonal clothing may be stored or discarded due to limited space.

Ask your local charity shop what they need

• Different shops accept different items – Some may specialise in vintage, formalwear, or kids’ clothing.
• Call ahead or check their website to avoid donating items they don’t need.

Consider alternatives to donating your unwanted clothing

Sell valuable or designer items yourself

Platforms like Depop, eBay, or local marketplaces can help you find a buyer. Hold a stall at a local bootsale or market.

Donate directly to those in need

Women’s shelters, refugee organisations, and homeless charities often need specific items.

Upcycle or repurpose unsellable clothes

Alter or refashion clothes that don’t fit properly.  Upcycle and repurpose old garments into something new instead of sending them to landfill.

• Learn how to sew »
• Join an upcycling workshops »

Clothing swap

Hold a clothing swap with friends, colleagues or with your local community.

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Clothes Upcycling Workshops and Sewing Classes

Elevate your clothes upcycling skills. Get started on your sewing journey.

Learn clothes upcycling skills so you can refashion old clothes, alter garments to fit and refashion your thrift purchases. My fun and hands-on clothes upcycling workshops include how to make simple clothes alterations through to complete transformations.

Classes are held at my sewing and clothes upcycling workshop in Frenchs Forest on Sydney’s Northern Beaches (near Northern Beaches Hospital).  Private lessons and groups workshops can be held throughout Sydney at a location of your choice.

Scroll down to browse my clothes upcycling workshops and sewing classes below.