Join the Closet Clear-out Challenge this July

Traid, our partner for 58 textile recycling banks around the borough, also offers free home collections where you can donate clothes, shoes and accessories that you no longer wear.

This month, it is encouraging everyone to take part in the Closet Clear-out Challenge, to donate unwanted items, aiming to reach 250,000 garments in total.

Over the past year, Traid has collected over 528 tonnes of textiles through home collections and items dropped off at textile banks in Wandsworth. This has saved almost 3,000 tonnes of carbon emissions compared to if these items had been incinerated, the equivalent of an average petrol car driving 7.5 million miles.

Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This is a fantastic, free and easy way to declutter, donate and do something good for the environment.

“Whether you've used the service before or not, join the Closet Clear-out Challenge this July and help make Wandsworth a more sustainable borough.”

All you need to do is Pick - Click - Collect. Pick your clothes, click to donate, and Traid will collect for free. Book a collection online or you can call 020 8733 2595.

What items can you donate? 

• Clean, wearable men’s, women’s and children’s clothing 
• Paired shoes  
• Accessories  
• Household linens (excluding duvets and pillows)  

You must have a minimum donation of at least one large bag of clothing or three small bags. However, we encourage residents to donate over and above this amount where possible, as it allows Traid to run a more efficient and environmentally friendly service.

A collector in a Traid branded van will collect your donations during your allotted time slot.

If you are unsure of what types of items you can donate, read Traid’s helpful donations guide. 

What happens to the donations? 

When you donate clothes to Traid, its expert team sorts through your garments by hand, which are then categorised by type, style and season, before going on to be sold in one of its 12 London shops.  

Where items are damaged or otherwise not in resaleable condition, Traid works with designers and upcyclers, as well as textile recyclers to repurpose these.