Are you getting ready to clear out your wardrobe and refresh your style? This can feel great and incredibly satisfying, until you find out that your wearable, beloved plus size items are going to be rejected by your local charity shop. While this might sound silly, that’s exactly what happens. This is why it’s important to know where to donate plus-size clothing and why you should donate plus size clothes even if not all charities accept them.
Why Are Plus Size Clothing Items Rejected By Charities?
You might be wondering why charity shops reject plus-sized items and you’re not alone here. A lot of people clear out their clothing closet and prepare countless items to be donated only to discover that a store won’t take them because they aren’t the right size. What’s going on here?
The reality is that plus-sized clothing items are often rejected for a few practical, logistical and systemic reasons with many relying on out-dated or false assumptions.
For instance, some charity shops will reject plus-sized items because they take up more room in a shop with limited floor space and as such mean that the store can stock fewer items. While this might be true in some cases, the majority of plus-sized items take up virtually no more room than other products in the same category.
Some charity shops also believe that fewer people want plus-sized items and that they are harder to sell. This doesn’t make sense when you consider how many stores have started to offer plus-sized lines over the past few years. Examples include Victoria Secret, Boohoo, and Lulu Lemon.
Other times items like this are rejected because volunteers aren’t sure how to label them. There’s also condition bias where people assume that plus-sized items are more likely to show signs of wear and tear and as such are not in the right condition for donations. Whether or not this is true is highly debatable however the thought process certainly exists.
What Impact Does This Have?
Ultimately, the fact that a lot of charity shops don’t accept plus-sized clothing donations means that people who need them are overlooked and under-served in the market-place. What makes matters worse is that this also means people who have a disability and are under financial hardship also can’t get the clothing items that they need at a reasonable price. This is only made worse due to rising inflation and the cost of living crisis. That’s why it is essential that people can find how to donate their plus-sized clothing so that they have the greatest impact possible.
While plus-sized clothing is readily available on the market, particularly from fashion outlets and designers, they often view it as an opportunity to profit. As such, much-needed items are typically over-priced and that’s why it’s important to make sure that people can access donations. Particularly, those who are struggling with their personal financial situation due to factors and variables beyond their control.
Where To Donate Plus-Sized Clothing
If you are interested in donating plus-sized clothing, then there are a few options that you can explore.
Before you donate items of clothing like this, it is important to make sure that they are in a suitable condition for donations. Make sure that there aren’t any issues with rips or holes in the fabric of the clothing. You should also guarantee that there aren’t any stains or similar marks of wear and tear. This is standard practice whenever you are donating any items of clothes and you should also consider washing them first. Particularly, if they have been at the back of your wardrobe for a while.
First, you can think about contacting your local charity shop to find out whether they have any issues accepting plus-sized clothing. Don’t be surprised if a lot of charity shops you speak to mention that they are reluctant to accept items like this. Based on the latest reports, this is quite a widespread issue.
You could also explore drop-off points for clothing donations close to you. One of the issues in doing this is that you won’t know if the company actually accepts the donations. As such, it’s entirely possible that the clothing is donated but never actually makes it to a shop floor or the people who need these items. This is why it’s always worth speaking to a company or charity before you decide to donate your plus-sized items.
At Eco-Spot, we are happy to take plus-sized clothing donations and understand the importance that this provides to people who require larger items of clothing. We know that plus-sized items are in high-demand and especially sought after by people with certain disabilities. That’s why we make sure that we provide easy options that allow anyone to donate plus-sized clothing that are still suitable for wear.
You can think about using a pick-up service. This will provide peace of mind that your clothing is going to the right people with the convenience of someone collecting it for you. Our collections are available in certain locations across the country.
Alternatively, you can drop the clothes off at one of our easy-to-find drop-off spots, we have many bins in many locations in Utah, Texas and Missouri. Unlike other charities, these can be put safely in our metal bins. As such, you can guarantee that they will remain safe from the elements until they are collected.
If you would like further peace of mind that your items will be given to those who need them the most, you could visit a donation center. This provides a brilliant opportunity to speak to the people responsible for your donations. They can provide you with further information regarding the type of items we accept as donations including plus-sized clothing.
As you can see, while there are certainly roadblocks to be aware of when donating your plus size clothing, there are options available including those that we offer at Eco Spot. If you are interested in learning more about how to donate plus-sized clothing and other items using our service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to provide further information about our donation services and details on how they benefit those in need.
