23/09/2026
This is an example of a system where the act of giving something away can be mistaken for the problem being solved.
Not to speak to the business model presented in this photograph but more broadly to consider that this is shifting responsibility somewhere else. What we see in this photograph is illegal dumping and these items are exposed. How much of this will ultimately be landfilled?
With collection points like these, clothing and anything else in these still requires collection, transportation, assessment, sorting and eventually to be directed somewhere appropriate. And not everything is useful but all of it requires someone to do that work to figure it out.
Keeping something in circulation requires infrastructure, labour, transport, storage and relationships with the people and organisations that can actually use it.
This is why we charge for our clothing recovery services.
We control what enters our system, we understand where there is demand and we determine an appropriate next use.
Our fees incorporate stewardship which is more about our relationship to the things we own.
It contributes to the work required to keep its value in circulation.
We currently have 13 organisations with a qualified unmet need for quality clothing and footwear.
If you need to clear space in your own wardrobe, our clear out kits are available to order online or alternatively, you can organise a clothing drop-in with us.
All the links are in our bio.
