Published by elizabethhall under Reuse/Recycle, Stores

In times like these where cash flow may not necessarily run as abundantly as before, it’s a sure bet that (almost) any means of coming up with some spare change is not out of the question! Here’s a thought to chew on- the concept of getting green for going green. When one thinks of recycled clothing, a Good Will or Salvation Army donation is more than likely the first thing that comes to mind. And while these are excellent ways to contribute to helping those in need and keeping recyclable materials out of landfills, new options have opened up in the way of second-hand selling.

Plato’s Closet is a chain of stores that brings new options to recycling used clothing.  Started by the same team who opened Play It Again Sports,  the store targets teens and 20 somethings–based off the concept that customers receive cash for the clothing they recycle. Once buyers have sifted through your items and pick out the ones they feel have selling potential, the seller has the option of either “taking the money and running” or accepting the equivalent amount as a credit to pick out new items already in the store.

(platoscloset.com)

It is for one simple reason Plato’s Closet can be called green, and it’s not about the money. The EPA estimates that over one million tons of fabric gets dumped into our landfills every year! This is a catastrophic number that definitely has the potential of being minimized once we choose to take a more proactive approach to recycling and reusing goods that still have plenty of lifespan left in them. Why not take those cute clothes that someone else might want and make them work for you? From my own experiences of using Plato’s Closet I have earned back anywhere from $12.00 to $45.00. I must say that it was very exciting to turn these rewards into a couple soy lattes or stocking up on groceries! The clothes that Plato’s Closet decided not to take I drove over to my local Good Will drop off- a win-win situation for everyone!

(platoscloset.com)

There has been the issue that living a green lifestyle can get expensive, and there is a lot of truth to that. However, earning money for contributing to the recycling cause is one of the unique ways that leading a green lifestyle can pay itself back!

To find a Plato’s Closet nearest you, go to http://platoscloset.com

(platoscloset.com)