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A WOMAN HAS TAKEN TO TIKTOK TO SHARE AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO GIVE THEIR CLOTHES A SECOND HOME 14:14, 05 Jun 2025Updated 15:43, 06 Jun 2025 A thrifty Brit has taken

to TikTok to share a startling insight into the fate of excess donations at charity clothes banks, after noticing an overflow at her local Salvation Army drop-off point, reports the Mirror.

Rachel captured footage of numerous bags accumulating on the pavement, explaining in her video: "This is what I saw today. People didn't dump these - they donated - but with

nowhere to left to put them, this is the result." The Vinted user, who sells second-hand clothes herself, posed a poignant question: "People came here with good intentions, but if

the banks are full where do you expect it all to go? It really does break my heart to see this sort of thing happening all the time." She then went on to describe the journey of surplus

donations from inside a warehouse, revealing: "Every day, warehouses like this sort through literal tonnes - and the volume isn't slowing down." Rachel highlighted the

staggering global impact of clothing waste, stating: "Fashion is responsible for up to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions - more than flights and shipping combined. Here in

the UK alone, we send around 350,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill every year." Article continues below Concluding her video, she urged her audience to think twice before their next

charity shop drop-offs, questioning: "Is it clean, wearable, could someone actually use it?" She continued: "Clothes banks are full - don't leave it outside. Wait,

rethink, reuse - we don't need more waste, we just need change." Illustrating the extent of the issue, Rachel revealed that even warehouse spaces are overwhelmed, with clothes

quickly accumulating soon after being cleared. "Look how much these volunteers have to go through every single day," Rachel pointed out. One TikTok user expressed their

astonishment: "Wow this is mind blowing statistics... and resellers still getting negative comments. Brilliant video Rachel. Thank you for sharing." Another viewer concurred:

"It's absolutely mind-blowing the general public has no idea just HOW bad it is." A third commenter lamented a local clothing collection point, noting it's often filled

to the brim and exposed to weather: "We have a clothing collection point in my estate outside of our little shop, to be honest I've never seen anyone empty it, but it must be full

as yesterday there was numerous bags piled on top. "It's been pouring with rain all night here so they will all be ruined now. Such a shame!" A forth advised: "Take it

back home try again another day, or take to a charity shop... bl**dy simple... don't just leave it there." One in five individuals expressed frustration with their local situation,

saying: "People leave stuff outside a local charity shop by me and they aren't allowed to accept it. I sometimes see people going through it but the next day it always gets

collected by council for landfill." This scenario supports Rachel's statistics, which are in line with Waste Managed's assertions: "Globally, the fashion industry

produces around 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually. This contributes significantly to environmental pollution, with the industry responsible for 10% of global carbon

emissions." Additionally, the statistics show: "We consume 62 million tonnes of textiles per year. By 2030, this is expected to reach 102 million tonnes. The fashion industry

accounts for 8.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions." A Salvation Army spokesperson said: "As a church and charity we rely on the generosity of the public to help support

our work. Through our collection banks we are diverting clothes from landfill and disposal and giving them a new lease of life - while raising money for our work in communities across the

United Kingdom. Article continues below "Our banks are emptied on a regular basis, often daily. We would ask people to report a full bank by contacting our helpdesk on 0808 141 5890 or

email us at [email protected]. We also ask that donations are not left outside our banks as they are at risk of damage or even theft. We have other ways that we can receive used textiles

and would urge the public to make the most of these donation points too. "To find your nearest donation point use our map finder: www.salvationarmytrading.org.uk/find-us."