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Trying to figure out the best places to recycle old clothes—especially the ones that can’t be donated—can feel way more confusing than it should be. At least, that’s how it felt for me the first time I did a real closet cleanout.
I had a growing pile of clothes that were too worn, stretched, or stained to pass along—but throwing them in the trash didn’t sit right either.
And once I started digging into what actually happens to clothing waste, I realized this is a much bigger issue than most of us realize.
SKL Top Picks (At a Glance)
If you’re short on time, these are the best places to recycle old clothes—based on transparency, accessibility, and what actually happens to your textiles.
- Best Overall Clothing Recycling Program: TerraCycle
- Best For Everyday Clothing & Fabric Scraps: For Days
- Best For Bulk Closet Cleanouts: Retold Recycling
- Best For Underwear, Socks & Intimates: Subset
- Best For Easy Local Recycling Search: Earth911
Most clothes today are made with synthetic blends like polyester and elastane, which means they don’t just “break down” when we toss them.
They can sit in landfills for decades, slowly releasing microplastics into the environment. This ties into a larger issue with synthetic materials—something I break down more in this guide to Natural vs Synthetic Fibers.
So naturally, recycling feels like the responsible next step… but here’s the part that surprised me:
Clothing recycling isn’t nearly as straightforward—or as effective—as we’re often led to believe. That’s exactly why I put this guide together.
I’m going to walk you through the most responsible ways to recycle clothes that can’t be donated, which programs are actually worth using, and a few lower-impact options I personally try first—because in many cases, recycling isn’t the best first step.
Why Recycling Old Clothes Matters
It’s easy to think of clothing as something temporary—something we wear, outgrow, and eventually toss. But most clothes don’t just disappear once we throw them away.
Today’s fabrics are often made from synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and elastane, which can take decades (or longer) to break down.
As they sit in landfills, they slowly release microplastics into the environment, contributing to long-term pollution in our soil and waterways.
And the scale of the problem is bigger than most people realize.
Millions of tons of textile waste are sent to landfills every year, even though a large percentage of those materials could be reused, repurposed, or recycled in some way.
That’s where things get tricky. Recycling clothing isn’t as simple as dropping items into a bin and trusting they’ll become something new.
In many cases, textiles are downcycled into lower-value materials like insulation or rags—or shipped elsewhere, where the environmental impact continues.
That doesn’t mean recycling isn’t worth doing—it just means we need to be more thoughtful about how we do it.
When done intentionally, recycling can help extend the life of materials, reduce waste, and keep clothing out of landfills just a little bit longer.
If you’re trying to reduce overall waste at home, this is also closely connected to how we shop and build our wardrobes in the first place, which I walk through in this Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Fashion.
The Truth About Textile Recycling
Before relying on recycling, it helps to understand what’s actually happening behind the scenes.
For most of us, textile recycling feels familiar—those clothing bins in parking lots or in-store drop-offs at places like H&M.
It gives the impression that our old clothes are being turned into something new. But the reality is a bit more complicated.
Only a small percentage of clothing is truly recycled into new garments. Most of it follows a very different path.
Some items are resold in secondhand markets, often overseas. Others are downcycled into lower-value materials like insulation, carpet padding, or cleaning rags.
And a significant portion still ends up in landfills—despite being “donated” or “recycled.” Part of the issue comes down to how clothing is made.
Most modern garments are created from blended fabrics—like cotton mixed with polyester—which are extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to separate and recycle effectively.
Add in things like zippers, elastic, dyes, and chemical treatments, and the process becomes even more complex.
This is especially true with materials like polyester, which shows up in most modern clothing (I break this down more in this Polyester Fabric Guide).
There’s also the reality that recycling textiles is resource-intensive. It often requires significant energy, water, and labor, which means it can be cheaper to produce new materials than to recycle existing ones.
So while recycling sounds like the solution, it’s not a perfect system.
That’s why the goal isn’t just to recycle more—it’s to be more intentional about how we extend the life of clothing in the first place, and to choose recycling programs that are actually transparent about where materials go.
What To Do Before Recycling Clothes
Before sending anything off to a recycling program, it’s worth pausing for a second—because in many cases, recycling isn’t actually the most sustainable first step.
The goal is always to keep clothing in use for as long as possible, without needing industrial processing at all.
Over time, I’ve found that a quick mental checklist helps:
✔️ Reimagine
Sometimes a piece just needs a small change to become wearable again.
This could look like cropping a pair of jeans, dyeing a faded shirt, adding patches, or fixing a seam.
A lot of clothes we think are “done” just need a little adjustment to get a second life.
✔️ Repurpose
If it’s no longer wearable, can it serve a different purpose?
Old t-shirts can become cleaning rags, pajamas, or even reusable paper towels. Heavier fabrics can be turned into things like pet bedding, pillow stuffing, or household textiles.
This is actually where a lot of industrial recycling ends up anyway—so doing it yourself cuts out unnecessary processing.
👉🏼 If you want ideas, check out our full guide: 20 Ways To Reuse Old Clothing.
✔️ Resell
If the item is still in decent condition, reselling is one of the best ways to make sure it actually gets used.
Platforms like local marketplaces or resale apps give your clothes a much better chance of going directly to someone who wants them—rather than getting lost in a donation system where only a small percentage is resold.
If you’re not sure where to start, this Sustainable Closet Cleanout Guide walks through how to sort through your clothes without defaulting to donation or landfill.
✔️ Rehome
Sometimes the simplest option is just finding the right person.
Friends, family, community groups, or local organizations often have a much more immediate need—and you can feel confident the item is actually being used.
Once those options are exhausted, then recycling becomes the next best step. And that’s where the programs below come in.
The Best Places To Recycle Old Clothes
Once you’ve exhausted reuse and repurposing, these are the best clothing recycling programs I’ve found that are relatively transparent and actually help divert textiles from landfills.
1. TerraCycle — Best Overall Clothing Recycling Program
Best For: Hard-to-recycle items and specialized waste streams
TerraCycle is one of the few programs that accepts items most systems won’t touch.
Instead of focusing only on wearable clothing, they partner with brands to recycle specific categories—everything from fabrics to hard-to-process waste.
Their Zero Waste Boxes make it easy to collect and send in textiles, though they are a paid option.
They also run free programs through brand partnerships, which can be worth exploring if you’re dealing with very specific items that are otherwise difficult to place.
This is the option I’d turn to when nothing else will accept what you have.
Price
Varies (Depending on Box)
Accepts
Hard-To-Recycle Items (Varies by Program)
Location
International (Region-Specific Websites)
2. For Days — Best For Everyday Clothing & Fabric Scraps
Best For: Sending in mixed textiles (including non-clothing items)
If you have a little bit of everything—clothes, towels, random fabric scraps—For Days is one of the easiest systems to use.
You order a Take Back Bag™, fill it, and send it off without needing to sort much ahead of time.
They aim to direct items into reuse, recycling, or downcycling streams depending on condition, which makes it a more flexible option for everyday cleanouts.
The upfront cost is offset with store credit, which helps balance it out. This works especially well when you want a low-effort, all-in-one solution.
Price
$19.99 (Credit Returned)
Accepts
All Types of Textiles Including: Clothing | Handbags | Bedding | Towels | Socks | Underwear
Location
United States & Canada (International Upon Request)
3. Retold Recycling — Best For Bulk Closet Cleanouts
Best For: Large volumes of mixed-condition clothing
When you’re dealing with multiple bags at once, Retold Recycling simplifies the process.
Instead of separating items by condition or category, you can send everything together and let them handle the sorting.
They distribute items across resale, reuse, and recycling channels, which makes this especially helpful when you just need the entire pile gone—but still want it handled responsibly.
This is a good fit if you’re doing a full reset and don’t want to overthink it.
Price
Varies (Depending on Bag)
Accepts
Clothing | Shoes | Household Textiles
Location
United States
4. Subset — Best For Underwear, Socks & Intimates
Best For: Items that are rarely accepted elsewhere
Underwear and socks tend to be the items people hold onto the longest because there aren’t many good options for them.
Subset focuses specifically on these categories, turning them into materials like insulation and textile fill.
It’s a simple send-in process, and the added discount toward a new pair makes it feel a little more circular instead of purely disposal-focused.
This is one of the easiest ways to responsibly get rid of worn-out basics.
Price
$20
Accepts
Most Textiles Including: Underwear | Clothing | Shoes | Towels | Bedding (15 lbs per Bag)
Location
United States
5. The Bra Recyclers — Best For Giving Bras A Second Life
Best For: Reuse + recycling combined
What makes The Bra Recyclers program different is that it prioritizes reuse first.
Wearable bras are redistributed to women in need, while damaged ones are responsibly processed.
That dual approach makes it one of the more impactful options if you have items that could still be useful to someone else.
This is a strong option if you want your items to directly help someone when possible.
Price
Free (Shipping Required) | $20 via Give Back Box (Optional)
Accepts
Bras | Underwear | T-Shirts
Location
United States & Canada (Drop-Off) | Mail-In Available (U.S.-Based ONLY)
6. Harper Wilde — Best For Easy Bra & Underwear Recycling
Best For: A straightforward mail-in option
Harper Wilde accepts bras and underwear from any brand, which removes a lot of friction.
You don’t have to overthink whether something qualifies.
Materials are repurposed into new fibers or downcycled into products like rugs and insulation, making this a practical fallback when reuse isn’t possible.
This works well when you just want something simple and accessible.
Price
$12 (Credit Returned)
Accepts
Bras | Underwear
Location
United States
7. Madewell — Best For Denim Recycling
Best For: Recycling old jeans into insulation
If you have a stack of jeans you’ve been meaning to deal with, this is one of the easiest options.
Madewell partners with Blue Jeans Go Green to turn denim into housing insulation.
You can drop off any brand in-store, which makes it feel more accessible than mail-in programs.
This is an easy in-store option if denim is what you’re trying to clear out.
Price
Free + Store Credit
Accepts
Denim (Any Brand) | Clothing | Shoes | Handbags
Location
United States (In-Store Drop-Off & Mail-In)
8. Blue Jeans Go Green — Best For Denim-Specific Recycling
Best For: Turning denim into useful materials
Blue Jean Go Green is entirely focused on denim, transforming old jeans into insulation and other functional materials.
It’s a good option if you want something more specialized than general recycling programs.
This makes sense if you want a dedicated path specifically for denim.
Price
Free (Retailer Drop-Off | Rewards May Apply)
Accepts
Cotton-Based Denim (Any Brand)
Location
United States (Retail Drop-Offs & Collection Drives)
9. 2ReWear — Best For Large-Scale Textile Recycling Networks
Best For: Accessing broader recycling infrastructure
2ReWear operates through retail partners, helping process clothing, shoes, and textiles at scale.
It’s not always as visible to consumers, but it plays a major role in diverting textile waste.
You’ll typically interact with it through partner brands, which makes it more of a behind-the-scenes option.
This is a good option when you’re using partner brands that already work within this system.
Price
Free (Varies by Partner)
Accepts
Clothing | Shoes | Household Textiles | Accessories
Location
United States (Retail Drop-Offs & Collection Networks)
10. Nike — Best For Recycling Sneakers
Best For: Athletic shoes from any brand
Footwear is one of the hardest categories to deal with because of all the mixed materials involved.
Nike’s program helps by accepting used Nike sneakers and apparel and sorting them into reuse, donation, or recycling streams.
If you’ve got worn-out athletic shoes sitting around, this is one of the most accessible options.
This is one of the easiest ways to handle shoes that can’t be donated.
Price
Free (In-Store Drop-Off)
Accepts
Nike Athletic Shoes (No Sandals/Boots/Cleats) | Nike Athletic Apparel (No Socks/Underwear)
Location
United States & Europe (Select Participating Stores)
11. Earth911 — Best For Finding Local Recycling Options
Best For: Locating textile recycling near you
If you’d rather not mail items in, Earth911 is a helpful starting point.
You can search by item and location to find nearby recycling options.
It does require a bit of extra vetting, since not all programs listed operate the same way—but it’s still one of the easiest ways to find local solutions.
This is a helpful starting point if you prefer local drop-off options.
Price
Free (Search Tool & Guides)
Accepts
Not a Direct Recycler (Helps You Find Local Recycling Options)
Location
United States & Canada
A Quick Note On Clothing Recycling & Greenwashing
Clothing recycling sounds like a simple solution—but in reality, it’s not always as straightforward as brands make it seem.
A lot of programs labeled as “recycling” are actually downcycling materials into lower-value products like insulation or rags.
Others rely heavily on resale systems or export clothing overseas, where it can still end up as waste.
There’s also very little standardization or transparency across the industry, which makes it hard to know exactly what’s happening after you drop something off.
That doesn’t mean these programs aren’t worth using—but it’s a reminder to be thoughtful about where your clothes go, and to prioritize options that are clear about their process.
Common Questions On Recycling Clothing
If clothes are too worn, stained, or damaged to donate, the best options are repurposing them at home or using a clothing recycling program.
Many programs accept textiles in any condition and redirect them into reuse, downcycling, or recycling streams.
Yes, many textiles can still be recycled even if they’re not wearable.
Programs like For Days, TerraCycle, and Retold Recycling accept worn-out items and process them into materials like insulation, rags, or recycled fibers.
Most clothing is not turned into new garments.
Instead, textiles are typically downcycled into products like cleaning cloths, insulation, or padding, while some are resold or exported depending on condition.
Recycling is generally the better option because it helps divert textile waste from landfills.
However, reuse and repurposing are even more sustainable since they extend the life of the item without additional processing.
No, clothing should not go in your household recycling bin.
Textiles require specialized recycling programs or drop-off locations that are equipped to handle fabric materials.
You can use tools like Earth911 to find local textile recycling options.
Some retail stores and community programs also offer drop-off points, but it’s important to check how they actually process items.
They can, but not all programs operate the same way.
Some prioritize reuse and responsible recycling, while others rely heavily on resale or downcycling, so it’s worth choosing programs that are transparent about their process.
Yes, but only through specific programs.
Brands like Subset and Harper Wilde accept underwear, bras, and socks and recycle them into materials like insulation or textile fill.
Natural fibers like cotton and wool are generally easier to recycle than synthetic blends.
However, many modern clothes are made from mixed materials, which makes large-scale textile recycling more difficult.
Clothing is often made with blended fabrics, dyes, and hardware like zippers or elastic, which are hard to separate.
This complexity makes recycling more resource-intensive and limits how much material can be fully recycled.
Final Thoughts on Recycling Old Clothes
Figuring out what to do with clothes that can’t be donated isn’t always straightforward—but it’s worth slowing down and being intentional about it.
Recycling can be a helpful tool, especially for items that are truly at the end of their life.
But as you’ve seen, it’s not a perfect system. A lot of what gets labeled as “recycling” is really downcycling or redistribution.
That’s why the biggest shift isn’t just where we send our clothes—it’s how long we keep them in use in the first place. When you can, rewear, repurpose, or rehome first.
And when that’s no longer realistic, choosing a more transparent recycling program can make a meaningful difference.
Continue Your Sustainable Fashion Journey
If you’re trying to reduce clothing waste and make more intentional choices, these are some of the most helpful places to start:
- Clothing Upcycling Ideas – Simple ways to reuse old clothes before recycling them.
- Beginner’s Guide To Sustainable Fashion – A practical starting point for building a more intentional wardrobe.
- How To Shop Secondhand – What to look for and how to avoid common mistakes.
- Fast Fashion Explained – Why clothing waste is such a growing problem.
- Natural vs Synthetic Fibers – What your clothes are really made of (and why it matters).
As you start to shift how you shop, focusing on better materials and longer-lasting pieces can make a big difference over time.
- Sustainable Clothing Brands – Thoughtfully made pieces designed to last.
- Sustainable Clothing Basics – A simple swap that avoids synthetic blends and microplastic shedding.
- Capsule Wardrobe Essentials – Fewer, more versatile pieces you’ll actually wear.
Small changes in how we buy, wear, and care for clothing can have a much bigger impact than recycling alone.
📌 Save This Guide For Later
If you’re not tackling your closet today, this is a helpful one to come back to.
Save this guide so you have a clear plan the next time you’re sorting through clothes that can’t be donated—you’ll know exactly what to do (and where to send them).
Sources & Further Reading
If you’re like me and want to understand what’s actually happening with clothing waste and textile recycling—not just what brands or programs claim—these are some of the resources I found most helpful while researching this topic:
- Environmental Protection Agency — Data on textile waste, landfill impact, and recycling rates in the U.S.
- SMART Association — Industry insights on how used textiles are sorted, reused, and downcycled.
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation — Research on circular fashion, textile waste, and the limitations of current recycling systems.
- Textile Exchange — Reports on fiber production, material sustainability, and the global textile industry.
- European Environment Agency — Data on textile consumption, waste, and environmental impact in Europe.
- Waste and Resources Action Programme — Research on clothing lifecycles, reuse systems, and waste reduction strategies.
- Changing Markets Foundation — Investigations into greenwashing and synthetic textile impacts.
I also spent time reviewing individual recycling program websites, brand sustainability pages, and third-party reports to better understand how these systems actually work in practice—beyond marketing claims.
As with most areas of sustainability, this is still evolving. Textile recycling technology, infrastructure, and transparency are all changing, which is why it’s worth staying curious, asking questions, and looking a little deeper into where things actually end up.
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Thank you! I’ll pass this along to family and friends. Scherry
I run a thrift shop for national council of Jewish woman. We donate our profit to agencies such as domestic abuse, human trafficking, food insecurities and more. D
Is there anyway I can somehow go through your donations to put in my store?