Press release: Clothing bank teaches children that clothes do not belong in the trash
Prague, March 11, 2026 – How should we properly dispose of clothes we no longer wear? And how can they help people in need instead of ending up in the trash? Answers to these questions will be provided by the educational program Save a T-shirt, prepared by the Clothing Bank. The first excursion for preschool children will take place on March 11 in Prague with the participation of Jana Komrsková, Deputy Mayor of Prague.
A group of preschool children from the Dubeč nursery school will visit the Clothing Bank in Prague’s Troja district. This nursery school is a pilot partner in a new educational program that aims to gradually involve other nursery, primary, and secondary schools.
During the approximately 40-minute program, the children will see what happens to donated clothing, how it is sorted, and how emergency packages for families in need are created. The program will be complemented by a fairy tale about “the journey of a T-shirt” and simple interactive activities adapted to the children’s age.
The main goal of the project is to educate children and young people about the proper handling of textile waste, responsible consumption, and the possibilities of reusing clothing, with an emphasis on linking environmental benefits and concrete social assistance.
“Textile waste is one of the fastest growing components of municipal waste. This makes it all the more important to teach children to think about how to use things for longer and how to treat them responsibly. I am delighted that the Clothing Bank is able to combine environmental friendliness with concrete help for people in need. Projects like this show that environmental protection can take a very human and practical form.” says Jana Komrsková, Deputy Mayor of Prague.
The clothing bank has long been helping families and individuals in difficult life situations by providing emergency packages containing clothing and basic textiles. In 2025, the organization processed 44,724 kg of donated clothing and prepared 16,771 emergency packages for those in need throughout the Czech Republic. The organization’s headquarters are located in Prague, but assistance is provided throughout the country through partner organizations.
“We want to show children that even small decisions—such as donating clothes instead of throwing them away—can help people and the environment. If they learn this principle at an early age, it will have a major long-term impact on their behavior and relationship to consumption.” says Dana Pavlousková, founder of the Clothing Bank.
The visit will be followed by a clothing collection among parents and school staff. The Donate Wisely program is open to other educational institutions. Kindergartens, elementary schools, and high schools can sign up for the project by emailing spoluprace@odevnibanka.cz.
Photographic documentation will be available after the event.
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Oděvní banka z.s. helps people in difficult life situations by providing material assistance in the form of emergency packages containing clothing, while also contributing to the reduction of textile waste. It collects donated clothing from individuals and companies, sorts it, and distributes it to families, single parents, seniors, and people affected by crises through a network of social services and partner organizations. The project also promotes responsible consumption, textile reuse, and the development of circular economy principles. For more information, visit www.odevnibanka.cz.
Dana Pavlousková
Director
We give clothing a new life, helping those in need.
