An autumn wardrobe change is a useful moment to check what still works before adding more clothes. Ireland’s MyWaste guidance encourages people to buy less and extend the life of textiles through repair, reuse and donation. Its current campaign also provides practical preparation advice and a map of collection locations. This is a seasonal guide checked on 10 October 2026, rather than an announcement of a new clothing rule. [1][2]

Start with the clothes you expect to use over the next few months. Try them on, check fastenings and follow the garment’s care label. Make a short list of actual gaps instead of treating a full wardrobe as evidence that every item is usable.

Give a repair a specific job

Separate an item needing a small repair from one you no longer want to wear. A missing button has a different next step from a coat that no longer fits. If you cannot do a repair yourself, ask for a quote and description of the proposed work before deciding whether it suits the garment.

For clothes that can be passed on, MyWaste recommends clean, dry items, folded or rolled and protected in bags. Pair socks, gloves and footwear so parts are less likely to be separated during handling. Check the receiving organisation’s conditions, particularly for damaged items; a charity shop donation and a textile recycling service are not necessarily interchangeable. [1][2]

Check the destination before loading the bag

The MyWaste textile map includes donation locations and information such as accepted items and opening hours. Its FAQ advises finding another location when a bank is full and warns against leaving bags beside it. A good intention does not protect a bag left exposed outdoors. [2]

Choose a manageable amount to sort, arrange the repair or handover, and finish that step before beginning the next pile. A wardrobe check is most useful when it leads to clothes being worn again or reaching an appropriate recipient, rather than a new collection of bags waiting by the door.

This guide does not certify a garment’s performance, promise a resale price or claim that donated textiles will all stay in Ireland. Confirm the chosen service’s current acceptance details before travelling.