What Happens to the Stuff We Drop off at the Salvation Army and Goodwill Stores?

For years, I accumulated stuff, now I’m trying to own less. For each item brought into the house, I try to eliminate at least one similar thing.

As I looked into the way the Salvation Army and Goodwill deal with control of bedbugs, I came upon information about how they sell or dispose of the clothing and other items they receive. Both have detailed methods for selling and what happens to items that don’t sell. I ran into some criticism of how the Salvation Army deals with merchandize they don’t sell in their stores and how both organizations end up sending too many items to the dump. I thought this criticism was harsh and undeserved but it’s worth reading for anyone interested in pursuing the topic.

I continue to bring most of my give-aways to the Salvation Army. I’m familiar with the organization since I volunteered at the local business several times in the last years. They provide what I’ve heard referred to as “3 hots and a cot” for individuals who would be homeless without this help. (The hots are warm meals.) More importantly, they have drug counseling for people who need–and are ready for–this service.

Goodwill provides job training programs among other needed services to the community.

The sincere, good people retiring from either the Salvation Army or Goodwill deserve a smile when they get to heaven’s doors.

I got information on how the two businesses handle donations they don't sell by looking under: the salvation army and goodwill stores, what happens to donated clothing they don't sell?
Here is one web address where I found interesting information:
https://www.one.org/.../what-really-happens-to-your-donated-clothing