Donating Clothes

Donating Clothes

If you lost (or gained) a lot of weight or are moving, you are probably planning on getting rid of some of the clothes in your wardrobe. Instead of throwing your clothes away in a trash bag, consider more charitable options.

1) The Green Box

In every neighborhood, you can find green clothing donation bins discreetly located on the streets. They look similar to large mailboxes and you can easily slip your donation into them or stacked beside the bin. While these bins are one the most convenient means of donating clothes, they are somewhat of a mystery. The bins are not government-run, instead they are managed by separate charities and even businesses. So, you are never sure where your clothes are going. They may end up at a charity or a thrift store or shredded and turned into a rug for a manufacturer.

2) The Beautiful Store

Goodwill and the Salvation Army are just a few international charities with a smattering of locations in Korea. However, one of the most prominent Korea-based charitable thrift stores is The Beautiful Store. The store began in 2002 and collects used clothing, books and household items to sell in the store. Profits go to charitable endeavors locally and to third world countries. The company hires otherwise marginalized individuals such as homeless, ex-convicts and abused women on its staff. There are 110 locations around Korea with a recorded $25 million in profits as of 2009. These shops also support fair trade.

3) Churches and Other Organizations

There are a myriad of other local options to consider when donating clothing. Seek out a local church. Look for local organizations that help immigrants such as the Universal Cultural Center in Gwangju. If you have clothing for children, make a donation to the local Sungbin Orphanage. Also, look for the next Freecycle event at the GIC (in spring 2016) to trade used items with other international residents.