Comments on: Donating Clothing? Beware For-Profit Drop Boxes

By: maddie

maddie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:03:39 +0000

Person 2 Person in stamford/darien is good, so if that is on the box drop, then drop.

Just looking in the area should give you what you need to find. Research first. For research is your friend.

By: zorro

zorro — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:29:34 +0000

Mr. John and informed readers,

It isn’t ALL internet garbage, only everything that isn’t Planet Aid P.R. It’s the Better Business Bureau, Institute of Philanthropy, Boston Globe, & Toronto Star, and the BBC, among other organizations and publications. Exactly what percentage of profits go to people in need and how exactly are they helped? It is questionable practices at best, misrepresentation, and–at worst–ties to criminal activity. Look up Tvind, Teachers Group, or just put “Planet Aid” & fraud together in Google…then think about it (while you give LOCALLY) and decide.

By: Mr. John

Mr. John — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:48:10 +0000

Hey Roberto

What would you like to know? What kinds of Charities or Non-profits are you interested in?

By: roberto villanueva

roberto villanueva — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:42:57 +0000

please I want mor e information about charity npnprofit

By: Mr. John

Mr. John — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:09:30 +0000

Do you people really feed into this internet GARBAGE!!?? I am a rep of Planet Aid. Where do you get your information from. People please, let me clear the air for you. Planet Aid does collect clothing for reuse. The clothing is sold, correct. The profits are used to build schools, train teachers, AIDS programs, Food programs, ect. To whoever is reading this, trust me, this article is FULL of only ALLIGATIONS!! Most likely a for-profit company trying to bash on other for-profit and even successful non-profit companies. Believe half of what you see, and NONE of what you hear. Planet Aid has ties to criminal activity??? What??Planet Aid is in 20 different states in the U.S. Thats just rediculous. Get a real job. Have a good day. God Bless……..

By: blah

blah — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:31:31 +0000

Some organizations DON’T sell clothing overseas; just watch out for who does and who doesn’t. You can also sell or trade or swap clothes.
I know about that too. My friend(she lived in Africa)really witnessed this.

By: William Streever

William Streever — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:21:50 +0000

The boxes depending on locations, are often emptied twice a week. In connecticut most good locations do 2000 pounds a week. Mapgirl just so you know, almost all donated clothes are sold in overseas markets. Including all of goodwill and salvation armys product that isnt used in consignment stores. They donate the money they get from the sales of clothes. now for the guy who wrote the article, you are really on point and have some valid info. Im a non profit clothing collection company. It is not illeagle though for someone to be a for-profit. The other horrible thing are goverment allows is you can be a for-profit and rent a name from a charity much like big brothers big sister. American Thirft land inc. pays 15,000 dollars a year and then sells the cloths for .30 per pound. Now imagine a nation wide company that collects 3 million pounds per month. that is a gross profit of 900,000 dollars per month and they donate 15,000 dollars a year. It dosen’t say anywhere on there box that there not actally big brother big sister.

By: El

El — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:01:29 +0000

I’m curious as to how often these boxes are emptied and how much stuff doesn’t get used.

I always see signs screaming “No furniture, trash,” etc.

By: Kara

Kara — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:41:41 +0000

To mapgirl’s point – Save This shirt is a great book for repurposing old clothing. There are all sorts of ways to reuse it! Like using the fabric for quilts, etc.

Our local fire department has a drop box, and they make money off of it. When I only have a few things (not worthy of a Goodwill reciept) I throw it in their box. I don’t have qualms with this use of it, as it’s still supporting a local organization I want to support.

I didn’t realize there were straight for-profit boxes though! That is very misleading, and I fear the organizations who are using this for a good reason (ie: fire departments) are going to get burned… I suppose it’s better than landing in a landfil!

By: mapgirl

mapgirl — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:00:33 +0000

Donated clothing is often sold in markets overseas, leading to the collapse of the garment industry in 3rd world nations. (Per a friend of mine at the IMF. I think he specifically pointed out a study in Malawi…)

I’ve been trying to repurpose my old clothes but the donation box and its tax benefits keep calling my name…