Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Is Urban Outfitters Trash Really For Charity?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 23, 2010
Modified Jan 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 23, 2010
Modified Jan 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In light of H&M and the city recently trashing perfectly good items that could have gone to charity, one blogger at Tree Hugger digs deeper to find out how Urban Outfitters handles their unwanted goods. She happened to stumble upon a bunch of boxes outside of their 14th Street and 6th Avenue store, all taped up with the words "broken" adorning them.
Opening one box up, she found "gag notepads, a disco ball, mugs, hipster tchotchkies, even an iPod speaker system. The stuff wasn't brand new — some of it, like the mugs, was damaged; most of it was just worn or rough around the edges, and totally usable." She also found hats, home decor items, sneakers, and boots.
Eventually someone addressed the small scavenging group that had formed, and told them the cops were coming, and that this wasn't trash at all... but goods going to Salvation Army. Or was it? The scavenger questions, "why were they leaving all of this out on the street for the Salvation Army? Why not deliver it, or keep in storage? A bunch of heavy boxes taped up next to the trash are an easy target for New Yorkers of all stripes." Moreover, it's not illegal to rummage and take items from these discarded piles — the Department of Sanitation acknowledges one may go through trash left on the curb.
So, where was Urban Outfitters really putting their damaged goods — cause we're pretty sure we've never seen a Hamburger Phone at the Salvation Army.
Tagged
charity
department of sanitation
garbage
retail
trash
urban outfitters
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .