What do all those clothing donation boxes in parking lots all over the city do with clothing that is absolutely unusable by anyone? I heard they repurpose it for things like couch stuffing. Can anyone definitively confirm or deny? 
reddit.com › r › chicago › comments › 11sbgzw › what_do_all_those_clothing_donation_boxes_in
I worked for one of them. Clothes and shoes were sorted to be sold by the ton. Clothes in good condition or with a well known label were usually sold overseas where the demand was strong. Cities like Chicago fetched a higher rate per pound than less well known big cities. Items that were not in a state of easy resale would be shipped to China or India for recycling or repurposing. It was low margin industry but predicated on high volume with efficiency the key. Less reputable operators hurt the sector. Good ones, however, of which there was a global network would invest portions of their profits into green and sustainability efforts. Answer from Even_Food_8888 on reddit.com
Planetaid
planetaid.org › find-a-bin
Where to Donate Clothes & Shoes: Find a Bin Near Me | Planet Aid
We make it easy to donate clothes and shoes and support good causes. Simply, find the nearest donation bin and drop off your gently used textiles. Planet Aid is a nonprofit so your donations support cleaner, stronger communities and are tax deductible.
No bins near me—are there other ways to donate?
Yes. You can Mail a Box (via Give Back Box) to Planet Aid’s thrift store with up to 70 pounds of clothes, shoes, and eligible household items.
planetaid.org
planetaid.org › find-a-bin
Where to Donate Clothes & Shoes: Find a Bin Near Me | Planet Aid
What items can I donate in a bin?
Clean clothing and shoes, plus textiles like bedding, towels, and curtains, as well as sleeping bags, socks, underwear, and bras. Items with minor tears or stains may be donated.
planetaid.org
planetaid.org › find-a-bin
Where to Donate Clothes & Shoes: Find a Bin Near Me | Planet Aid
How do I find a Planet Aid donation bin near me?
Use the Find a Bin tool to locate the nearest drop-off for gently used textiles, then deliver your items at your convenience.
planetaid.org
planetaid.org › find-a-bin
Where to Donate Clothes & Shoes: Find a Bin Near Me | Planet Aid
Donate Stuff
donatestuff.com › home › chicago drop-off locations
Chicago Convenient Donation Drop Off | Clothing & Item Donations
October 19, 2023 - We know the hustle and bustle rarely stops and that time is precious, especially for those who juggle long hours at work and family commitments. That’s why we offer free, contactless services including locations for convenient donation drop offs around Chicago. Your clothing and item donations will benefit AMVETS of Illinois.
Usagain
usagain.com
home | USAgain
To find the clothing drop box nearest you, please enter your zip code or city and state here.
What do all those clothing donation boxes in parking lots all over the city do with clothing that is absolutely unusable by anyone? I heard they repurpose it for things like couch stuffing. Can anyone definitively confirm or deny?
I worked for one of them. Clothes and shoes were sorted to be sold by the ton. Clothes in good condition or with a well known label were usually sold overseas where the demand was strong. Cities like Chicago fetched a higher rate per pound than less well known big cities. Items that were not in a state of easy resale would be shipped to China or India for recycling or repurposing. It was low margin industry but predicated on high volume with efficiency the key. Less reputable operators hurt the sector. Good ones, however, of which there was a global network would invest portions of their profits into green and sustainability efforts. More on reddit.com
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March 15, 2023Clothing donations
Important to this post: the big green CLOTHES AND SHOES bins do not directly benefit your community. I dont recall who but a cult runs those and sells the scraps to other companies for profit i believe, which isnt illegal or even icky really but doesnt actually help who you think it might. More on reddit.com
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January 5, 2024Are there any drop-off donation bins for clothes, even if the place itself is closed?
Check out this page for clothes drop off locations. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/donate-goods/textiles More on reddit.com
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May 10, 2020Does anyone know where donation bins are?
Most farmer's markets will have them. Grand Army Plaza on Saturdays and 5th Ave and 4th Street in Park Slope on Sundays. More on reddit.com
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August 24, 2024Videos
Donation bins: Where do your clothing donations go?
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What did KPRC 2 Investigates uncover with clothing donation bins?
03:31
W5: Bins for Profit Part 1 | Where do the things you put in ...
03:30
W5: Bins for Profit | Shady players in the donation bin game - YouTube
03:31
W5 | Where do the things you put in donation bins really go? - YouTube
The Salvation Army
salvationarmyusa.org › donation-dropoff
Donation Dropoff
Use our location finder to find the drop-off location nearest you.
Yelp
yelp.com › local services › clothes donation drop off box
TOP 10 BEST Clothes Donation Drop Off Box in Chicago, IL - Updated 2025 - Yelp
Top 10 Best Clothes Donation Drop Off Box in Chicago, IL - Last Updated November 2025 - Yelp - Goodwill Store & Donation Center, Helping Hands Homeless Foundation, The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center, Open Books Donation Box, Cradles to Crayons, Pacific Garden Mission, Chicago Cares, Unique, Palette & Chisel Art Academy
Helpsy
helpsy.com › find-a-bin
Find a Bin — Helpsy
Extend the lifecycle of your garments by dropping off your clothes in our Helpsy clothing bins. Find a bin near you today!
Savers
stores.savers.com › il › chicago › community-donation-center-cdc8007.html
Clothing Donation Center in Chicago, Illinois, 60618 | Savers
The Community Donation Center® at the Unique® thrift store in Chicago, Illinois, is the perfect place to donate clothes and other household items to our store’s local nonprofit partner, American Red Cross. Located in the Irving Park neighborhood, our secondhand store is a one-stop shop to drop off your donations and Declutter ResponsiblyTM.
Address 3748 N Elston Ave, 60618, Chicago
Illinoisamvets
ilamvets.org › drop-off-sites
Drop Off Sites | Illinoisamvets
Illinois AMVETS offers drop-off locations in the Chicago area for donations of household goods and clothing. Attendants will assist you with your donations at each location, so please see the list for the drop-off site near you. In order for a donor to receive a tax receipt they must go to the plaza site when an attendant is on duty and sign the log book.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/chicago › what do all those clothing donation boxes in parking lots all over the city do with clothing that is absolutely unusable by anyone? i heard they repurpose it for things like couch stuffing. can anyone definitively confirm or deny?
r/chicago on Reddit: What do all those clothing donation boxes in parking lots all over the city do with clothing that is absolutely unusable by anyone? I heard they repurpose it for things like couch stuffing. Can anyone definitively confirm or deny?
March 15, 2023 -
Trying to keep a bunch of dodgy textiles out of a landfill...
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I worked for one of them. Clothes and shoes were sorted to be sold by the ton. Clothes in good condition or with a well known label were usually sold overseas where the demand was strong. Cities like Chicago fetched a higher rate per pound than less well known big cities. Items that were not in a state of easy resale would be shipped to China or India for recycling or repurposing. It was low margin industry but predicated on high volume with efficiency the key. Less reputable operators hurt the sector. Good ones, however, of which there was a global network would invest portions of their profits into green and sustainability efforts.
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I once saw a brief video somewhere that described how they wind up for sale in third world countries.
Clothedonations
clothedonations.com › illinois
Illinois Clothing Drop Off & Donation Boxes
Find a clothing donation drop-off across Illinois, from Chicago to Springfield. Locate a donation center or donation bin for your secondhand clothes donation.
Bigreuse
bigreuse.org
Big Reuse - Non-Profit Retail Store and Donation Center
Used furniture, building materials, home goods, clothing, appliances, books, records, vintage, antiques. Material donations accepted daily. Free pickups.
Yelp
yelp.com › local services › clothing donation bin
TOP 10 BEST Clothing Donation Bin in Brooklyn, NY - Updated 2025 - Yelp
"This Goodwill accepts clothing donations during business hours. You can drop off bags directly in their large bins without sorting or inspection. They provide receipts for taxes. The store itself is very large, clean, and well organized. They have a good selection of clothes, games, and housewares.
Time Out
timeout.com › chicago › things-to-do › donation-boxes-you-asked-for-it
Donation boxes | You asked for it
September 18, 2012 - The Gaia Movement The environmental nonprofit sells donated clothing from its 250 green bins dotting the city directly to secondhand wholesale dealers and shops for cash. Several media outlets and the Better Business Bureau have questioned how much of that money, if any, goes to legit enviro programs. Go Green for the Cause For-profit recycling companies empty the more than 200 white boxes scattered throughout the Chicago area, and pay Go Green for the donated clothing.
Salvation Army
easternusa.salvationarmy.org › greater-new-york
Salvation Army Greater New York Division
The Greater New York division is one of the arms of The Salvation Army, whose mission is to help New Yorkers in need.. The Salvation Army Greater New York Division
City Cast Chicago
chicago.citycast.fm › chicago-life-hacks › donate-clothes-chicago
Where to Donate Clothes in Chicago - City Cast Chicago
September 30, 2025 - The free store lets neighbors pick up clothes, books, food, and more. Donate your garments during store hours Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Drop off women’s and men’s apparel, handbags, shoes, jewelry, and accessories at the North Side and suburban resale shops.
GreenCity Project
thegreencityproject.org
Home | The GreenCity Project
Host A Bin! Born and Raised in Chicago. The GreenCity Project is a minority owned commercial for-profit company. Our mission is to reduce the planet's carbon footprint by recycling unwanted clothes and shoes, all while partnering with communities along the way.
Usagain
usagain.com › dropspot
Clothing Drop Spot
Looking for a place to drop off your gently used clothes and shoes? Many people donate to traditional thrift stores and charities, but our Clothing Drop Spots offer a quick, hassle-free alternative with 24/7 access at shopping centers near you.
Stvincentdepaulchicago
stvincentdepaulchicago.org › donation-events
Donation Events – St. Vincent de Paul Chicago
September 8, 2025 - St. Vincent de Paul Chicago ... Your bagged donations of used clothing, shoes, purses, and linens can be dropped off at the below list of conveniently located drop boxes throughout Cook and Lake County.
Chicagotextilerecycling
chicagotextilerecycling.com › home
Donate Clothes and Shoes - Chicago Textile Recycling
July 23, 2024 - Founded in 1960 and family owned and operated, Wipeco, Inc. is Chicagoland’s Premier Wiping Rag Supplier, selling recycled wiping cloths nation-wide and extending the life of discarded textiles through repurposing. We purchase excess clothing items from local resale stores. We offer regular or occasional pick-ups as well as full-trailer programs. We accept used clothing, shoes, and household linens in our recycling bins.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/chicago › clothing donations
r/chicago on Reddit: Clothing donations
January 5, 2024 -
What are the charities that REALLY give away clothing to the poor, homeless, and migrants? Looking for real non-profits, and not the bootleg for-profit bins that are everywhere. Bonus if the non-profit has donation bins. Thanks!
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Important to this post: the big green CLOTHES AND SHOES bins do not directly benefit your community. I dont recall who but a cult runs those and sells the scraps to other companies for profit i believe, which isnt illegal or even icky really but doesnt actually help who you think it might.
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Brown elephant directly helps people and so do Care for Real