Clothing Recycling Centers

Directory List of Recycling Centers By State and City

A clothing recycling center (or textile recycling facility) is a specialized hub designed to process discarded clothes, shoes, and linens to keep them out of landfills. Unlike a thrift store, which primarily sells wearable items, a recycling center is equipped to handle "end-of-life" textiles—items that are torn, stained, or otherwise unwearable.

In the U.S., about 85% of textiles end up in landfills, and these centers are the primary defense against that waste.

How It Works: The 3-Step Journey

When you drop off a bag of old clothes at a recycling bin or center, the items typically go through a "sorting and grading" process:

Step Process Outcome

1. Sorting:  Items are separated by condition, color, and material type (natural vs. synthetic).Decides the "next life" of the garment.

2. Grading:  Wearable items are separated from unwearable rags.  Wearable clothes are sold to thrift stores or sent to developing nations.

3. Processing:  Unwearable items are shredded or chemically broken down.  Transformed into industrial products or new fibers. 

What Your Clothes Become

Because "fiber-to-fiber" recycling (turning an old shirt into a new shirt) is technically difficult, most clothing is downcycled into lower-value industrial materials:

• Insulation: Used for home weatherproofing or soundproofing in cars.

• Industrial Rags: Cut into wiping cloths for mechanics and factories.

• Stuffing: Shredded for use in mattresses, pet beds, or furniture upholstery.

• Carpet Padding: Used as the cushioned layer under household carpets.

Where to Find Them

You can usually find clothing recycling opportunities through:

• Public Drop-Boxes: Large metal bins often found in parking lots (e.g., Clothes Bin or USAgain).

• Retail Take-Back Programs: Many brands like H&M, Levi’s, and Patagonia have in-store bins and often give you a discount for donating.

• Mail-in Services: Companies like Trashie (Take Back Bag) or For Days let you buy a bag, fill it with old rags, and mail it in for recycling credits.

• Municipal Centers: Some city "dumps" or recycling plants have a specific textile section.

Quick Tip: "The Wet Rule"

Most recycling centers accept clothes in any condition (rips and stains are fine), but they almost never accept wet or moldy items. Moisture can ruin an entire batch of textiles during transport, so ensure everything is dry before donating.