Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean Out Your Closet.

Lately, my closet has been out of control.

Between overflowing drawers, piles of laundry, and more loungewear than anyone working from home really needs, it’s clear that something has to change!

One of my goals this year was to crack down and declutter, but I wanted to do it in an eco-friendly way.

After trying a few methods, I’m happy to report on three eco-friendly ways to clean out your closet while minimizing your environmental impact.

Selling Your Clothes with ThredUp

ThredUp is an excellent option for selling gently used clothes. There are plenty of places to sell second-hand items, but the idea of photographing and posting them online, dealing with inquiries, and shipping items myself was too much.

ThredUp’s “Clean Out” bags were perfect for me. Here’s how it works: You request a bag from their website, fill it with clothes, shoes, or accessories, and ship it back (shipping is free, and you can even schedule a USPS pickup like I did). ThredUp then evaluates your items and lists what they can sell. They recycle any unsellable items responsibly, which I appreciate.

I’m still waiting for my bag to be evaluated, but I’ve done this before, and while you won’t make tons of money, the convenience makes it worthwhile. Remember that ThredUp takes a small portion of your earnings, and the process can take about a month, so it’s not a fast solution.

Upcycling with Project Repat

If you’re sentimental about certain clothes, Project Repat might be the solution you need.

Almost ten years ago, when I moved from Baton Rouge to Austin, I had a bunch of college t-shirts that I couldn’t bear to part with. Instead of tossing them, I turned them into a quilt with Project Repat, a company that turns old t-shirts into cozy, meaningful keepsakes.

It’s simple: You purchase a quilt (different sizes allow for different numbers of shirts) and send in the t-shirts you want to use. They sew them together, add a fleece backing, and you end up with a finished quilt full of memories! I love my “college quilt” and recently gathered enough shirts for a new one.

This method is perfect for preserving memories without sacrificing closet space, but it can take some time.

Recycling with Trashie

For items that are beyond donating or selling, Trashie is an excellent option. Trashie takes everything from clothes to shoes, bedding, and even stained, ripped, or otherwise unwearable items.

Like ThredUp, you buy a recycling bag on their website, fill it with unwanted items, and ship it back for free. Trashie then recycles your items in an eco-friendly way, keeping them out of landfills. You earn points or “Trashie Cash” as a bonus that can be redeemed for discounts with partner merchants.

While I’ve earned $70 in Trashie Cash so far, I’ll admit the rewards can be tricky to use, but knowing my clothes aren’t in a landfill makes it all worth it.

Final Thoughts

I used to donate everything to Goodwill, but knowing that many unsellable items end up in landfills (either here or overseas) pushed me to explore other options. These three methods have helped me clear out around 40 pounds of clothes, but my closet still isn’t as tidy as I’d like. I plan to go through everything again after fall and winter and say goodbye to anything I didn’t wear.

If you’re struggling to part with clothes or feeling overwhelmed by the clutter, I hope these methods help you find eco-friendly ways to clean your closet, too!

To see more writing from me, be sure to subscribe to The Bitter Lemon by clicking “subscribe” on the right side of your screen. Want even more? Subscribe to my newsletter to get roundups, book recs and lifestyle tips.