According to this recent New York Times article, major retailers H&M and Wal-Mart both slash and trash unsold goods – making them unwearable and fodder for landfills – rather than simply donating or otherwise responsibly disposing of unwanted inventory.

The fashion industry is one of the world’s major polluters just through it’s manufacturing process. It is extremely disheartening to learn that major retailers are compounding this waste by simply throwing out their leftovers.

Patronizing The Red Light and similar stores, whether as a buyer or a seller (we hope you’re both!), is one of the best ways to reduce fashion industry waste. The Red Light doesn’t throw out any clothing; everything we can’t use is donated to a local charity.

(Picture courtesy of the New York Times.)