Underwear
Underclothes, underpants, underthings, undies,
underlinen, nether garments, knickers, and skivvies.
Lingerie, brassieres, bras, slips, smalls, frillies.
Petticoats, panties, pants, hipsters, bikinis.
Y-fronts, T-fronts, T-shirts, A-shirts,
G-strings, cottontails, smallclothes, kecks.
Balbriggans, briefs, boxers, boxer briefs, bikini briefs,
thongs, trunks, and drawers.
No matter what you call these “unmentionables,” unlike other clothing categories, worn underwear has not typically been accepted at donation centers or been an item you can regift.
UNWEARABLE
Now that we know many donation centers sort and categorize textiles, we can include old, torn, unwearable, and ALWAYS CLEAN underwear in our donation bags.
Since practices vary between organizations, do call and check that the donation center actually does textile recycling. It would defeat the whole purpose of this effort if the donation center threw your bag of undies in the trash!
Generally, when these garments are no longer wearable the items are finely shredded. Metal items such as underwires and hooks are separated out by magnets and sent to a metal recycler. Fabric components are ultimately converted into carpet padding, insulation, paper and even yarn.
Since lingerie fabrics can last for decades before biodegrading, other options than the landfill are:
cut the 100% natural fiber parts of these garments into strips and compost,
tie up your tomato plants, and
use them as rags (before you send the used and clean remnants of rags to textile recycling).
WEARABLE
Underwear and bras you have worn once, didn't like, and washed can be donated to local charities, community centers, homeless or women’s shelters, where they can help someone in need. Again, call and make sure there is an actual need for the clothing items you have before just dropping them off.
Fantastic organizations are creating opportunities!
By donating your new or gently used bras - of all sizes and styles, including sports bras, nursing bras, and camisoles - and giving financial donations, Free the Girls helps survivors of human trafficking start their own businesses selling bras in their local second-hand clothing markets while they recover and build their new life.
I Support the Girls collects donations of new and gently used bras, and individually sealed tampons and maxi pads and distributes them to girls and women experiencing homelessness across the U.S. and globally. Whether they be homeless, refugees, in transitional housing, or fleeing domestic violence, women and girls should never have to compromise on dignity.
The Bra Recyclers accepts new and gently used bras, sports bras, post surgery breast cancer supplies and accessories (mastectomy bras, prosthesis, camisoles, sleeves, etc), and new panties. Their goal is to ignite a ‘Bra-volution’ to recycle, reuse or repurpose bras while providing substantial social benefits to women and girls escaping domestic violence, drug addiction, human trafficking and breast cancer survivors.
Creating New Lives with Unmentionables.
Let me know below:
1) How do you feel about purging your old and uncomfortable underthings?
2) What other recycle and reuse options have you used for old skivvies?