Give back without leaving the house
Imagine stuffing a box with give-worthy stuff, and then shipping it off to a charity for free. Sounds dreamy, right? Thanks to Give Back Box, doing good is that easy.
How it works
Fill up any old box with your donations (literally, fill it up — shipping air is a waste) then email free@givebackbox.com for a FREE shipping label.
You can drop off your box at UPS or FedEx or arrange a pickup through USPS (based on your label). You can also skip the label printing step and drop off your boxes, sans label, at any Kohl's.
Have a specific charity in mind? Give Back Box also gives you the option to pay as little as $20 to donate items to a charity of your choice. There are more than 100 charities to choose from, each with unique needs.
Don't forget to download your donation receipt once you've sent your items off.
What's accepted
If you’re using the free shipping option, you can donate clothes, shoes, accessories, and jewelry in new or great condition. Give generously, and include quality pieces so the program continues to succeed. If you’re covering the shipping costs to donate to a specific charity, you can send additional items they specifically request, such as household objects, small electronics, and video games.
Through partnerships with Amazon, Loft, Overstock, Kohl’s, and others, Give Back Box is a welcome addition to the fight against clothing waste*.
Plus, it gives a second life to your used cardboard boxes; the program also ensures that the shipping boxes are recycled.
*According to the EPA, a whopping 11.3 million tons of textile waste was sent to landfills in 2018.
Slashing Wardrobe Waste
Every year, the clothing industry produces the equivalent of 14 pieces of clothing for every person on earth. And unfortunately, for every 5 garments produced, the equivalent of 3 end up in a landfill or incinerated each year.
Some tips from the pros for cutting wardrobe waste:
• Before you buy. Try to imagine at least three occasions where you'll wear that piece. If you come up short, give it a pass.
• Buy second hand. By forgoing manufacturing and much of the transportation, used goods save enormous resources and energy. Plus, you can cash in on quality items at a discount.
• Buy quality. Quality construction and materials last longer, wear better, and can be repaired when the need arises. Look for natural fibers that don't contribute microplastics like cotton, wool, linen, hemp, and silk.
Thanks to Give Back Box, it's never been easier to pack a box full of joy for those in need. We're smitten.
Sources:
GiveBackBox
Triple Pundit
McKinsey and Company
Newsweek - Fast Fashion Is Creating An Environmental Crisis
