Each year millions of pieces of apparel end up in landfills. These are mostly clothes that aren’t suitable for reuse. 

According to the Waste Management Hierarchy — a scale that ranks waste management options by their environmental impact — landfills are the most harmful to our planet. Clothes do not biodegrade while in a landfill, and could remain there for more than 200 years before decomposing. This also increases the carbon footprint of the garments in the landfill.

Our traditional clothes like handwoven saris last decades spanning generations. They are timeless classics that look elegant. 

Fast fashion on the other hand is filling up cupboards fast. It gets relegated to some corner of our wardrobe the moment it is no longer in style.

In an era of consumerism and processed foods - clothes that fit us a few years ago no longer do so. Perhaps you embarked on a fitness regime and have clothes that are now too large to be worn. 

Children outgrow clothes in their growing years. They can’t obviously use them again. 

For a variety of reasons our cupboards and homes are filled with some clothes we may never use. There are millions for whom it is a necessity they are unable to afford.

Pick ONE piece of clothing (in good condition) from your cupboard and donate it. Give more if that’s possible. 

It could be an individual or a NGO. You can bring a happy smile to someone with your mindful deed.

More smiles, less waste to the landfill, more space in your cupboard.

Win-win at many levels.

Invite everyone at home to do this. A home of 4 can easily donate 4+ garments. 

A group of students can get together to do this. As also members of an office. 

There are places where NGOs regularly collect clothing and distribute them to the needy. If there isn’t one in your area let that not deter you from giving. We live in an era where we can reach out to someone at the other end of the planet. Surely we can find individuals/organizations to donate clothing to within a few kilometres of our home. 

Share your action on social media with the #IndiaPositiveCitizen and #ClothesBringSmiles . Inspire India with your good karma.

India Positive Citizen
One action. Once a week. Every week.
Building a great nation one India Positive action at a time.
 
Savitha Rao