Millions of tons of clothes end up on landfills every year. Most of them are synthetic, but even the biodegradeable ones can't decompose in the anaerobic environment, so they will sit there for centuries.

There are ways to make sure your old or unwanted clothes don't spend the bigger part of their life on landfills. A good way of getting rid of things you don't need anymore is donating them to somebody who can get good use out of them. Recycling it is another valid option. Avoiding the problem altogether by not making impulse buys and buying things for keeps is the most enviroment- and wallet friendly way. Also, buying clothes that are made sustainably out of organic cotton, bamboo or hemp can help the planet.

Children's clothes is a whole other story. When kids grow out of their clothes, they need new ones and the old ones have to go (unless you are very handy and can sew something else out of them). If the kids don't have siblings or other younger relatives who could wear the now too small clothes, it's best to give the unwanted (but not broken) things to a charity. This way you get room into your closets, and help out somebody in need. Many states also offer tax-deductions for donations.

If you don't feel like driving to a Salvation Army location or there isn't a thrift-store close to you, you can see if there's a clothes donation box in your area. Just know that not all drop-off boxes are for charity and many of them are actually for-profit companies. If your only goal is to keep clothes out of landfills, then feel free to drop your things in there, as they will get reused or recycled. But if you want to actually help somebody then it is best to take your clothes to a charity.