Sending Old Clothes and Earning 30,000 Won... The Profitable World of Pocket Money [Chosun Price Records]

Recycling Old Clothes Almost Thrown into (33) Clothing Collection Bins
Recle·Corner Market... From Doorstep Old Clothes Collection to Sales Service

Office worker Lee Jinha (39) sends clothes to a used clothing collection company every season. She sent clothes again this change of seasons and received 30,000 won. Lee said, "Children grow up quickly, and it's a waste to throw away clothes that have only been worn a few times and have become too small, and there is no one to pass them on to. When I send clothes to the company, they give points based on the weight, which can be converted into cash. All I have to do is pack the clothes at the door, and it becomes a nice little side income."

Clothing collection bin.

Usually, used clothes are often thrown into 'clothing collection bins' located around neighborhoods, but these bins are operated and managed by collection companies as for-profit businesses, not by local governments. The businesses selected through bids by each local government collect used clothes and sell them to secondhand markets or overseas to generate profits. This means that clothes you casually throw away can actually become money.

According to the industry on the 22nd, the average purchase price for used clothes in Korea is 200 to 350 won per kilogram. For clothes that have resale potential or branded clothing, the price can be calculated at over 20,000 won. Selling used clothes is simple. You apply for used clothing collection through an app or other means, place the clothes in front of your house, and the company collects them.

Fashion resale platform Corner Market awards points based on the weight of used clothes, which can be converted into cash. Photo by Reader.

The platform Recle, which purchases used clothes, provides purchase and collection services starting from 20 or more items including adult clothing, bags, and shoes. They offer compensation in cash or points for used clothes. The fashion resale platform Corner Market offers a convenient service that covers everything from used clothing collection, photography, sales, delivery, to settlement. In addition to purchasing based on the weight of used clothes, they also offer consignment sales services for branded products such as Nike and Adidas.

Since the range of used clothes collected varies by company, it is important to check. For example, Pandahey, a used clothing home collection service, collects all clothing, shoes, bags, curtains, as well as socks and towels.

Even if you are not selling, there are many ways to utilize used clothes. If you donate used clothes to non-profit organizations such as Beautiful Store or Goodwill Store instead of throwing them away, you can receive tax deduction benefits. If you receive a donation receipt, you can get a tax credit of 15% to 30% of the donation amount within 30% of your earned income limit as an individual. If you have three or more boxes (or bags) of items to donate, they provide a home collection service, making donation more convenient. Donated items are sold at Beautiful Store locations nationwide, and the proceeds are used to help marginalized neighbors domestically and abroad and to protect the environment.

Used Clothing Warehouse.

Some brands offer services where you can get new clothes at a discount by giving used clothes. The purpose is to promote eco-friendly practices by recycling clothes. H&M gives a 5,000 won discount coupon when you bring in used clothes. Shinsegae Factory Store has recycling boxes (used clothing collection bins) where if you donate 3kg or more of clothes you no longer wear, you receive a 5% discount coupon valid for the day.

Since collection prices vary by company, checking prices by visiting different places can increase your earnings. Mobile platforms disclose prices, but small collection companies have different rates, with some offering 500 won per kilogram.

Used Clothes Sent to Developing Countries... Incineration and Landfilling Generate Greenhouse Gases, Recycling Must Increase

The majority of collected used clothes are exported overseas.

Korea is also the world's 5th largest used clothing exporter. According to OEC, which compiles trade data, the top exporters of used clothing in 2022 were the United States ($1.01 billion), China ($852 million), the United Kingdom ($430 million), Germany ($360 million), and Korea ($351 million). Most are exported to developing countries. The top importers of used clothing in 2022 were Pakistan ($250 million), the United Arab Emirates ($233 million), Chile ($225 million), Kenya ($202 million), and Guatemala ($196 million).

Even when exported, many clothes end up as waste. The problem is that a large amount of greenhouse gases are emitted during the incineration or landfilling of textile waste. According to the United Nations (UN), the fashion industry accounts for 8 to 10% of global carbon emissions, which is why fast fashion is criticized as a major cause of environmental pollution. This is also why there are calls to increase clothing recycling to reduce the amount of clothes carelessly discarded.