How to Properly Recycle Textiles and Old Clothing

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Textile waste is a growing problem. Millions of tons of clothing and fabric end up in landfills every year — much of it still in good condition or perfectly recyclable. While fashion trends come and go, our responsibility to handle old clothes sustainably is more important than ever.

In this article, you’ll learn how to recycle, donate, repurpose, or dispose of textiles the right way, so you can clean out your closet without hurting the planet.

Why Textile Waste Is a Big Deal

The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world. Producing clothing requires enormous amounts of:

  • Water
  • Energy
  • Chemicals
  • Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon (which don’t biodegrade)

When clothing is discarded irresponsibly, it contributes to:

  • Overflowing landfills
  • Microplastic pollution
  • Greenhouse gas emissions during decomposition

Reducing textile waste protects natural resources and supports ethical consumption.

What Counts as Textile Waste?

Textile waste includes more than just old T-shirts. It can be:

  • Worn-out clothes
  • Shoes and accessories
  • Bedding (sheets, blankets)
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Curtains and upholstery fabric
  • Fabric scraps from sewing or crafts

Whether it’s torn, stained, outdated, or perfectly wearable — it can be handled sustainably.

Step 1: Sort Your Items

Start by sorting your unwanted textiles into four categories:

  1. Reusable and wearable (in good condition)
  2. Repairable (minor damage)
  3. Unwearable but recyclable (clean fabric scraps, stained clothing)
  4. Trash (heavily soiled or contaminated)

This helps you decide what to donate, repurpose, recycle, or dispose of.

Step 2: Donate What Can Be Reused

If the item is clean, functional, and still wearable, consider donation.

Where to donate:

  • Local charities and thrift stores
  • Homeless shelters
  • Community centers
  • Refugee or crisis support programs
  • Clothing swap groups or events
  • Online giveaways (e.g. Freecycle, Buy Nothing)

Tip: Always wash items before donating and avoid giving heavily damaged clothes.

Step 3: Reuse or Repurpose at Home

Give your textiles a second life with simple upcycling ideas:

  • Turn old T-shirts into cleaning rags
  • Use fabric scraps for sewing or quilting projects
  • Cut jeans into shorts or a tool roll
  • Transform pillowcases into grocery bags
  • Repurpose towels into bath mats or pet bedding

Be creative — and reduce your need to buy new household items.

Step 4: Recycle Unwearable Textiles

If clothes or fabrics are too damaged to donate or reuse, they can still be recycled into:

  • Insulation
  • Carpet padding
  • Industrial rags
  • Stuffing for furniture

How to recycle:

  • Use textile drop-off bins in your city
  • Look for clothing store take-back programs (e.g., H&M, Levi’s)
  • Check for municipal collection points
  • Use mail-in services like TerraCycle, For Days Take Back Bag, or Retold Recycling

Always check if the program accepts all fabrics or only certain materials.

Step 5: Be Mindful with Shoes and Accessories

Old shoes, belts, and bags also deserve a second life:

  • Donate wearable shoes to charities or shoe-specific drives (e.g., Soles4Souls)
  • Use local repair services to fix scuffed shoes or replace zippers
  • Repurpose handbags into storage organizers
  • Recycle through Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program or similar brand initiatives

What Not to Do

  • Don’t put textiles in your curbside recycling bin unless your city explicitly allows it
  • Don’t donate moldy, infested, or soiled items — they’ll likely be thrown away
  • Don’t burn synthetic fabrics (they release toxic chemicals)

Tips to Prevent Textile Waste in the First Place

The most sustainable solution is reducing what we consume.

  • Buy less, choose quality over quantity
  • Support slow fashion or ethical brands
  • Repair instead of replacing
  • Avoid impulse shopping
  • Wash clothes less frequently to extend their lifespan

Every Thread Counts

Recycling textiles isn’t just about old clothes — it’s about rethinking how we treat what we wear and use. By donating, repurposing, or recycling, you give fabrics a second chance and help keep waste out of landfills.

So next time you’re decluttering your closet, remember:
There’s more than one way to pass on your clothes — and tossing them in the trash isn’t one of them.

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