What happens to all the stuff that charity shops throw out?

Question

I am always seeing plastic bin bags (often orange) piled up outside these shops, and I worry that they may go into landfill. As well as clothes, what about books, toys etc that are not good enough quality to sell?

Answer 1

I would think that larger groups like the SA, would recycle when possible.

If something cannot be sold for whatever reason, the reality is that some things get thrown out.  

The larger issue though is "how bad are landfills" from my perspective: according to wikipedia,  landfills are supposed to meet this criteria:

Typically, in non hazardous waste landfills, in order to meet predefined specifications, techniques are applied by which the wastes are:

Confined to as small an area as possible.

Compacted to reduce their volume.

Covered (usually daily) with layers of soil.

Although there are other ways to deal with trash, landfills seem to not be as bad as they were hyped up to be 10 - 15 years ago.

Answer 2

I've heard that some usable clothes is donated to the homeless shelters, safe houses etc.

Answer 3

The one I drop things off at has three dumpsters near the back door. The are filled largely with castoffs.

Answer 4

they just all get dumped in the landfill - just like you thought - if they don't sell or are unsaleable.

Answer 5

the clothes are sold to companies that ship them to africa to be sold there.

some of the other stuff may go the same place.

friends of mine that work as longshoreman claim that the lead tainted toys from china that were taken off the market went to Africa for resale.