Can You Recycle Clothing & Textiles?
No
Not curbside — donate or use textile recycling
Why
Clothes in a curbside bin jam sorting machines like plastic bags do. But textiles are highly reusable and recyclable through the right channels.
How to dispose of clothing & textiles
- Donate wearable items to thrift stores or shelters
- Use textile drop-off bins for worn-out items — even stained or torn clothes are recycled into insulation and rags
- Some retailers take back old clothes of any brand
Greener option
Cut truly worn-out cotton items into cleaning rags first.
♻️ Recycling rules vary by city and hauler — when in doubt, check your local program. You can look up your area on our trash & recycling schedules page.