Uber and Red Cross are offering free clothing pick-ups this Saturday. Photo: 123rf
Red Cross is preparing for an influx of used clothing this weekend, with free pick-up available in three cities on Saturday.
Uber customers in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington will be able to get their donations picked up from their doorstep with no charge as part of the charity's clothing drive.
So while last year's dress might have lost its appeal, Red Cross Director of Retail Talei Kitchingman said donating this Saturday could go a long way to help fund their humanitarian work.
"The funds go to really good causes... we support the welfare of people in emergencies, last year delivered we delivered 700,000 Meals on Wheels and we're helping former refugees settle in our community."
Nation-wide, on average 1 in 7 pieces of clothing are going unused in our wardrobes, with a potential resale revenue of more than $1.4 million, according to research from Uber she said.
And while there are many of us who want to declutter, Kitchingman said many people are simply too busy.
"I mean I've got a bag of old clothing in my boot at the moment that I'm meant to be donating to the shop, and it's still there, so sometimes they hang around for a while."
So Saturday's pickup is meant to the process as easy as possible.
"We've teamed up with Uber, who are kindly doing this free."
"Saturday from 10 to 4, you jump on your Uber app, and book a parcel and it will come to us.
Over 170 volunteers will be lending a hand during the influx of donations this weekend and it will take two weeks to sort the goods.
She said last year's drive was a huge success, receiving almost 56,000 pre-loved item of clothing.
"We were so blown away by what we received, and it was really good quality, which was so important."
So before you are tempted to donate those tattered socks, Kitchingman encourages you to think twice.
"Generally, people are really great, but the rule of thumb is if you would be happy for your family or a friend to wear that it's good enough to come to us."
And while it is only those in our three largest cities who are eligible for pick up Saturday, the rest of the country is encouraged to drop off a bag at their local Red Cross store.
"If you're not going to wear it why not give it to someone else to love."
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