The Uber and Red Cross Clothing Drive is back, calling on Aussies to donate clothing to support critical disaster response and humanitarian projects. 

Ahead of this summer, Uber and the Red Cross are teaming up again to launch the 2022 Clothing Drive, providing parents with a new solution to help them declutter and feel good about donating quality, pre-loved clothes to raise vital funds for the Red Cross ahead of the hard-hitting weather events, across the summer months.

The best part? Mum’s and Dad’s don’t even have to load the whole family in the car to donate, as Uber is offering free pickups direct from your home, straight to Red Cross ops shops across Australia on Saturday 19 November.

The average Australian adult has 20 items of clothing that they haven’t worn in the past 12 months, worth an estimated value of $678 reveals new research commissioned by Uber in partnership with Australian Red Cross. 

The “Cost of Giving” report reveals that as a nation, Australians are sitting on a goldmine of pre-loved clothes, worth an estimated value of $12.8 billion, which could be donated to raise valuable funds to support people and communities through disasters and crisis. 

Almost two-thirds (63%) of Aussies say there are barriers to donating their clothes to charity, such as finding it emotionally challenging to part with their clothes, not being bothered to donate, or a lack of transport to op shops. Aussies also have a tendency to put off delivering pre-loved items to ops shops, with the average Aussie holding onto those items for another 24 days – over 3 weeks – on average. 

Preparing for Disaster Season 

The summer months are renowned for being some of the hardest-hitting in Australian climates, with wild weather patterns, cyclones and bushfires devastating communities. With La Niña set to hit Australia’s east coast this summer once again, it’s more important now than ever to ensure that organisations such as Red Cross have the resources they need to respond quickly to disasters, such as floods and bushfires, and support those people and communities who are impacted. 

That’s why in the run up to summer, Uber and Red Cross are calling on Australians to donate quality pre-loved clothing to Red Cross Shops, and making it easier than ever to do so.

On Saturday 19 November between 10am and 4pm local time in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, users can book an Uber Package trip to have their donated items delivered to their local Red Cross Shop free of charge. 

Richard Wood, Head of Retail at Australian Red Cross, commented:  “Disasters are becoming more frequent and intense in Australia, and it’s so important that we are ready to respond. By donating high quality, clean clothing and accessories via the Uber and Red Cross Clothing Drive, people in Australia can help Red Cross to support people and communities in vulnerable situations.” 

Margarita Peker, Director of Rider Operations, Uber ANZ, added: “When we launched the Uber and Red Cross Clothing Drive prior to the pandemic, Aussies got behind the campaign wholeheartedly, with an incredible 43,500 kilos donated, worth an estimated $800,000 in value. Following a challenging couple of years, we’re calling on Australians to get behind Red Cross humanitarian programs again, with a bolder ambition of donating 55,000 kilograms of quality clothing.”  

Feel Good Factor 

Following a turbulent year for many, giving back could be the boost we all need, as the “Cost of Giving” report found four in five Aussies agree donating to a good cause makes them feel happy (82%), and that donating to good causes is more important now than ever (79%). Despite this, almost two thirds (61%), say they wish they donated to charity more. 

With the cost of living rising rapidly, almost two thirds (63%) of Aussies say they are likely to go clothes shopping in their local op shop in the near future. As well as being cost-savvy, op shops are often a treasure trove of hidden gems with survey respondents admitting to discovering Louboutins, Gucci and Louis Vuitton bags, Armani coats, Levi Jeans and Hermes belts in their local op shops. 

Aussies can also feel good knowing their donations are saving thousands of quality items from landfill, and helping to conserve precious environmental resources. In the past year, Red Cross shops have extended the life of over 6 million items, which may have otherwise been destined for landfill. 

Donate from your doorstep 

“We’re proud to be partnering with Red Cross again to remove some of the barriers preventing Aussies from donating for one day, making it easier than ever for them to donate quality clothing, from their doorstep,” continued Margarita Peker, Director of Rider Operations, Uber ANZ. 

“By simply booking an Uber Package trip, Aussies can donate pre-loved items gathering dust in their wardrobe with a tap of a button, and watch in real time as the delivery person transports them to temporary Red Cross drop off locations.” 

Here’s how to donate: 

  1. Shift it to thrift it: Be realistic with your wardrobe clear out – if you haven’t worn it in years, or if it doesn’t fit but it’s still in great quality, shift it to thrift it. Red Cross is looking for quality, saleable clothing and accessories in particular, but does not accept homewares, underwear, worn out and/ or dirty clothing. If it’s good enough quality to give to a friend, then it’s something Red Cross would love!  
  2. Package up the pre-love: Gather your pre-loved items into a bag or box, no heavier than 20kg, so it comfortably sits in the boot of a midsize car. 
  3. Push for pick up: Open the Uber app between 10:00 to 16:00 local time  on 19 November 2022, navigate to the “Package” option. Click “Send a package”, enter “Red Cross Clothing Drive” as the destination, and select one of the “Red Cross Clothing Drive” locations shown. You may also see a banner in the app relating to the Clothing Drive, which when clicked on will allow you to select one of Red Cross Clothing Drive locations shown.  Remember, you need to be located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney to redeem the free delivery, and it is only redeemable once. Eligible customers will see a $0 amount payable when they book an Uber Package with the drop off location set to one of Red Cross Clothing Drive Drop off locations. 
  4. Donate from your doorstep: You’ll have real-time tracking of the delivery person’s arrival in the Uber app, so you can easily meet them at your doorstep, or curbside to hand over your donation. You can also follow the trip status live once the delivery person picks it up, and enjoy that feel good buzz of donating, as they transport it to Red Cross sorting centres!