30/10/2026
We tend to be very lucky with the thoughtful donations our community provide - perhaps because they have in mind that, as a clothing and baby bank, people going through tough times deserve dignity and some hope through the items they receive.
However, the escalating problem of scarce decent donations versus cheap fast fashion that has already exceeded its wearability after one use (or even brand new isn’t wearable!), dirty and smelly items, high cost of disposal and regulations on what can and can’t be accepted for health & hygiene reasons - it’s a tough job to self sustain and provide for our community simultaneously.
How do you perceive your local charity shop, and what makes you a more mindful donator? What would you like to experience at the Hello Karma Store? 🛍️
Every year, we throw away around 1.4 million tonnes of textiles in the UK, but only a fraction find their way back into our wardrobes.
With fast fashion driving down the quality of donations and resale apps taking the best items, charity shops are increasingly struggling to deal with donated clothes they simply can’t sell.
Are our good intentions actually costing charities money, and what should we be doing differently?
This is episode 118 of Talking Rubbish, available wherever you get your podcasts ♻️
