Garbage instead of clothes: clothes containers lose their usefulness

Due to the increasing disposal of waste in used clothing containers, the German Red Cross (DRK) is increasingly accepting used clothing directly from clothing collections and reducing the number of containers. Collecting via used clothing containers is no longer worthwhile, as more and more items that are thrown in have to be disposed of as bulky waste for a fee, the DRK said in response to an inquiry. According to the report, more and more DRK used clothing containers are being dismantled in Saxony.

"If we have to use more resources to collect donations than we can receive from the donations, we have to stop collections such as those via containers," explained DRK spokesperson Kai Kranich. For the aid organization, collecting used clothing donations is comparable to a donation box on a retail counter. According to the German Red Cross, the proceeds are used to fund social projects such as clothing banks for people on low incomes.

New ways to support those in need

"The fact that collecting donations via used clothing containers is no longer worthwhile is a long process that began years ago," emphasized Kranich. The 38 district associations in Saxony have now found different ways to organize the social distribution of used clothing. There are currently more than 50 clothing stores and social markets in the state, where well-preserved donations are passed on to those in need.

"This enables us to ensure that the needs of people on low incomes are met precisely with old clothes in good condition." Nevertheless, funding the clothing stores remains a challenge, according to Kranich. Donations or, even better, sponsoring memberships for the Saxon DRK district associations are needed to ensure that this service continues to be available nationwide.