Stores Where You Can Recycle Old Clothes for Rewards?

There are many US stores that have these programs but I haven’t been able to find much information on Australian stores.

I know H&M offers a discount when you recycle clothes. What other rewards do other stores offer?

Comments

  • -1

    ato allows you to claim any donations made within 12 months of purchase on tax afaik

    • +9

      That's for cash donations. The OP is asking about clothes donations for some form of financial reward, so it's effectively not a donation.

      • -3

        no i think you actually can donate clothes < 12 months, a chick at work did it

        or maybe it was an old rule

        • a chick at work

          is not qualified to give tax rulings.

  • I think Country Road does, but it's only during one month of the year and not sure if they have to be Country Road clothes, either …

  • +16

    A new low… this, wow.

    • +1

      In USA the IRS allows a taxpayer to effectively tax deduct the fair market value of clothing, household goods, used furniture, shoes, books etc donated to charities. If the same system was available here OzBargainers would be all over it like a….um……flipper at a Lego sale LOL.

  • +16

    Just donate to the Salvo's etc and forget about the rewards
    Charity begins at home

    • I'm totally with you. Why should we be rewarded/subsidised for helping people? Feeling good because you've helped someone should be reward enough (but I can see where the OP is coming from, especially for premium-level clothing retailers)

  • +3

    If you want payment for your old clothes sell them.

    If you want a reward for donating them you'll be rewarded with a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that someone less fortunate than you will appreciate them.

  • +6

    Which state/suburb are you located? There's Savers which provide you a discount coupon for any other purchases after giving a donation

    https://www.savers.com.au/

    Salvos too also have a rewards point system where each point equates to 1 point, and then you claim it back as money after a certain amount. I forget the ratios. You'll need to sign up for free to Salvos membership to claim this though

    • Looks like OP is also in Victoria, like you

  • Unbelievable OP not talking about charity !

  • +1

    Yeah I wanna know this too, I have some old undies and t shirts that I was going to worth out but hell, if I can get 5c for them then the moon is within reach!

  • +9

    Just clarification - the charity stores are not paying you for your old stuff, and when I donate I make sure they're resellable and in good condition. I loath the idea of using them as a dumping ground.

    In the example of Savers, they overtly provide the discount and it's not something you have to sniff out or read fine print for.

    Saving on a purchase is what OZB is about is it not? I'm sure most here would rather pay less than what is shown as the purchase price for an item.

    I spend a bit of money at Salvos and Savers etc and that's not even with donating. My son is growing and goes through toys, books and clothes quite quickly such that in some cases and on certain items, secondhand makes sense plus I can help the community.

    The charities have easily gotten more from me than I from them and their discount/rewards schemes - above this, I donate monthly through auto-payment. To a degree, the reward scheme actually encourages me to donate to them rather than sell on my own - in which case they'd get nothing from me.

    So for the people that agree that the OPs post is a 'new low' - I'd be curious to know what or how much they donate or contribute to charity. Also, as example, if McDonalds provide a 15% discount on any purchase for any donation to their charity house, would the same 'new low' people use it or not?

  • +4

    I donate clothes and I want zero rewards.

    It makes me feel good that :

    a) These clean clothes will go to someone that needs it more.
    b) These don't go into landfill.
    c) It may prevent someone creating more consumption by buying more clothes.

  • +1

    I can only think of two charities that "reward" you for donations, at least here in VIC.

    1) Salvos / Country Road. There are certain times you will receive a 20% voucher for Country Road by donating old Country Road clothing. There is a minimum spend.

    2) Savers. They give you a 20% off voucher for every donation. And that is why they are flooded with stuff. That, and that they'll actually collect your stuff direct from the carpark just by ringing the buzzer. As a profit making enterprise they've got it worked out how to get the publics free stuff en masse. Ultimately, most people don't care where it goes, just that it's gone, and Savers have perfected that.

  • +1

    nudie jeans - 20% off

  • +7

    To everyone criticising OP- you cannot take old ratty clothes with stains and rips to donate at Salvos/Savers. They will just throw them out as they cannot sell them.

    Shops like H&M actually recycle materials for other use in exchange for a discount voucher. Tell me your local op-shop does this service before you go an compare the two and shame the OP for asking.

    The alternative is not donating to an op-shop if you have really old clothes, it's throwing them out into landfill.

    • If they were old rags they wouldn't be expecting money for them lol

      • Never underestimate the shrewdness of Ozbargainers

    • The smarter organisations have started doing bag-o-rags, where they've cut up old clothing into convenient sizes as rags and sell them.

  • +1

    Swop Shop in Newtown will give you either cash or store credit for old clothes. They are selective about what they take, and the cash value is low so credit is the better option.

    H&M have a standard discount for donating old clothing.

    Nudie Jeans gives you 20% off a replacement when you trade in an old pair.

    Nike and New Balance have previously promotions where you get a discount for donating an old pair.

    For most brands that do it you have to be trading in/donating the same brand, so really only worthwhile if it's a brand you're willing to stick with.

  • +10

    People are so judgemental it’s heartbreaking - no one knows what OP is going through or his/her past.
    OP is asking for information, not for judgement. Save your opinion for people who ask for it.

  • I initially over-reacted and thought the OP was being a bit greedy/mercenary like; however I was wrong to do so and I see where s/he is coming from. This is not about generic charities or clothing bins where you provide clothing that they can either resell or convert to cleaning rags; it's about getting some sort of trade-in/trade-up when upgrading clothing.

    A good idea however I've never seen any place that does this in Oz. It's a shame really. I would think that the more premium-level stores would be seeing this as an opportunity but maybe the risk and expense of managing it outweighs and goodwill that they could generate?

  • Yes, Savers offers discounts on your next purchase there based on previous donations.

  • Donate good quality clothing that can be resold easily to charity stores, but H&M will give you a discount voucher for a bag of clothing in any condition - they recycle the textiles.

    Better than dumping it in landfill - which is really the only other alternative otherwise.

  • Red Cross opportunity shops have two programs to encourage donations. Check the website.

    1. when you donate one or more Country Road items you score a $10 voucher to use in any Country Road store Australia-wide. Vouchers can be redeemed on purchases of $50 or more, one per transaction.

    2. Pick up a Red Cross Loyalty Card and we’ll reward you with a 25% discount after your 10th purchase or donation.

    Clothing must be good quality, clean and saleable (not even a small stain is acceptable) - something that you yourself would like to buy as a bargain.

    • Wow seem like a great deal just buy 10 X 50 c lollipops at the checkout for 25% off .

  • Gumtree or Facebook store, if you want money then DIY and sell it online.

    Hard to throw one store for 2 birds

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