Following the donation guidelines for some charities can initially seem complicated, but once you get in the habit of making sure that you understand them you will find that it is a very manageable process. And while some people do not spend that much time when it comes to donating clothing and household items, there are others who make sure that they are making the most of the items that they can no longer use.

From giving clothing to places that make sure that they recycle what the cannot use to donating to places that are committed to recycling old household appliances, people can make sure that they are putting their unused items to the best use. By paying attention to donation guidelines, givers can help not only the people who are in need, but the environment as well.

Finding out that the unusable items that you donate end up in a landfill can be disappointing, but by paying attention to the donation guidelines that an organization has can help you make the most environmentally friendly decisions.
Consider some of these facts and figures about the donation and recycling industries and the impact that they have on the nation’s economy and the future of our world:

• Unfortunately, Americans recycle or donate only 15% of their used clothing. The rest, which amounts to nearly 10.5 million tons a year, ends up in landfills, meaning that textiles have one of the poorest recycling rates of any reusable material.
• The recovery rate for used textiles and clothing in the year 2011 was an estimated 15.3% in the U.S.
• An estimated $5.8 billion worth of clothing related donations in 2007 were made to charity foundations in America.
• Although only about 30% is actually recycled, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 75% of solid waste is recyclable.
• An estimated 2 million tons of clothing and textiles were recycled or donated to charity in the United States in the year 2011.
• Of the nearly 2 million tons of used clothing Americans recycle every year, less than 50% is ever worn again. Of the other half, 30% is cut up for use as industrial rags, and another 20% is shredded for home insulation and couch stuffing.

Charitable clothing donations are a great idea, but it is important to make sure that you are giving to organizations that will use your items in the very best way. Charitable donations are a great way to make sure that you not only help those in your community who are in the most need, but that your unusable items find themselves into a recycling plant, instead of the landfill.