Why It’s Okay (and Good) to Donate Merchandise with Outdated Branding
Branded merch doesn’t lose its value just because your logo changes. It still has purpose and the potential to do good. It’s time to rethink where it ends up.
Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the “Swag” Closet
When companies rebrand, merge, or tweak their visual identity, they’re often left with a mountain of leftover branded merchandise. Perfectly good product — hoodies, notebooks, water bottles — which often heads straight to the dumpster.
Not because it's broken.
Not because it's unusable.
But because the branding is outdated.
And here’s the uncomfortable truth we’ve discovered:
The decision to send it to the dumpster is often rooted in brand perception fears — but what’s lost is the opportunity to create real impact. That’s a mindset I’m committed to changing.
Through our Circular Impact Initiative, we’ve seen this story play out time and again. The desire to control brand optics outweighs the opportunity to do real good — all while products with real utility are trashed instead of treasured.
This is a mindset we can help shift.
Outdated Doesn’t Mean Useless
A hoodie with an old logo still keeps someone warm.
A water bottle still hydrates.
A backpack still carries supplies.
To someone navigating a crisis, displacement, or housing insecurity — the branding doesn’t matter. What matters is the comfort, utility, and dignity these products provide.
Let’s normalize the idea that outdated doesn’t mean obsolete. The value is in the product, not the logo that adorns it.
Why Donation is a Brand Strength, Not a Liability
Contrary to popular belief, donating old branded merchandise doesn’t weaken your brand — it reinforces it. It shows you:
Take sustainability seriously
Support communities in need
Make thoughtful, values-aligned decisions
Stand behind your products — even as your brand evolves
That’s not damage control. That’s leadership.
Removing the Friction: How Whitestone Helps
Brands hesitate because of perceived risks:
“What if it confuses our messaging?”
“What if it gets into the wrong hands?”
“What if it’s just too complicated?”
That’s where we come in.
Through our Circular Impact Initiative, we:
Coordinate donation logistics from start to finish
Ensure products go to vetted partners who need them
Track and report impact so you can celebrate it
Donation doesn’t have to be hard. We make it simple — and impactful.
Real Benefits for Your Business
FINANCIAL:
Tax deductions from charitable giving
Lower waste disposal costs
Greater ROI on merchandise spend
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Extended product lifecycle
Fewer items in landfills
Reduced Scope 3 emissions
BRAND:
ESG storytelling opportunities
Stronger employee and customer alignment
Reinforced brand integrity and purpose
Where Your Products Can Go
We’ve helped brands donate merchandise to:
Disaster relief efforts
Educational nonprofits
Homeless shelters
Youth programs
Crisis response teams
And more
Your leftover inventory can be someone else’s lifeline.
FAQs: What Brands Ask Before They Donate
-
Most functional items — apparel, drinkware, office supplies, tech accessories, and bags — are eligible. We’ll happily try to donate anything you’ve got that needs a new home.
-
No. Recipients value the function, not the logo.
-
Absolutely. Donation is one of the most direct ways to reduce waste and support circularity.
Fear is Not a Strategy
When faced with outdated merch, too many brands freeze. They hesitate. They worry about “how it will look.” But here's the thing: nothing looks better than doing the right thing.
Donation is not a compromise. It’s a decision rooted in empathy, accountability, and leadership. It’s not just good for the planet — it’s good for your people, your brand, and your bottom line.
Let’s stop letting fear write the story. Let’s turn that “obsolete” merch into real-world impact.
Want help making the shift?