What to do with All That Stuff
Blink and summer passes by. As of this week the unofficial end of summer is here and despite the fact summer’s damn humidity is hanging on for dear life, for New Yorkers it’s fashion week — a city-wide celebration for the fashion crowd that marks a new season.
If you’re at all like us, you’re looking at your summer wardrobe, feeling bored with what’s there and guilty for letting so many pieces go unworn but are ready for new fall styles.
As much as we preach wearing clothing for it’s entire use life, we understand that sometimes you just need a purge. Some pieces may have reached the end of their life, some are torn, permanently stained, or just don’t fit anymore so that purge is necessary. It’s a cleansing feeling and a time to hit restart. However, before you fill trash bags that you haul to Goodwill, let us give you a friendly and powerful reminder that 80% of what you donate will not be sold at said Goodwill so it will go to a landfill. Our concrete jungle alone spends over $20MM per year shipping your discarded clothing to landfills. Don’t fret, we did you a major solid by putting together better uses for those piles of unwanted goods! You’re welcome.
All textiles- For all textiles that have reached their final stage of life, send them to RewearAble. We just LOVE the people there and support the mission, which is why we Tulerie is an official partner. Aside from unwanted clothes, think sheets, towels, and shoes. They’ll take it and repurpose it. If you’re interested in sending anything to them, email us at hello@tulerie.com and we’ll send you a complementary shipping label so all you have to do is throw it in a box.
Denim - If you’re finding yourself with loads of denim, there is an urgent need for pants for refugees coming in from central america without clothes. They’re desperately seeking pants for men, women and children and can be sent here:
Jeans for the Journey
1721 B Beaumont Avenue
McAllen, Texas 78501
Dresses– because we’re all about female empowerment, we have to mention Dress for Success. Remember how confident you felt at your last interview or meeting, wearing your favorite dress? Let other women feel that good doing their power pose.
Kids stuff– those rugrats grow a hell of a lot faster than our tomatoes that are finally here. And they also lose interest in toys as quickly as you did bell sleeves. Many hospitals accept gently used toys for children in care to play with. Check with your local hospital first to make sure they do. If not, find a local shelter, who will also take bathtubs, bouncers and anything else your kiddo doesn’t need anymore.
Sports gear – Big Brothers and Big Sisters is a great place to send this stuff and you know it’ll get used.
That old phone - Wireless phones and technologies offer a lifeline for domestic violence victims in an emergency. Send those devices to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, who has partnered with Verizon to get these phones into victims hands. You can donate at any Verizon store.
Kitchen wares or anything else household related – Send these to Hearts and Homes for Youth, who are making sure children who have been displaced from their homes, are in foster care, or group homes have what they need to feel the comforts you feel at home.