Clothing and Textile Recycling

What Is Clothing and Textile Recycling?

Last reviewed by Sarah Chen on 01 April 2026

Clothing and textile recycling involves the collection, sorting, cleaning, and processing of used clothes and other fabric materials into reusable products or raw materials. It matters because recycling reduces waste and saves resources; for instance, recycling one ton of textiles prevents over 700 gallons of water from being consumed compared to producing new textiles.

Recycling clothing and textile items is vital for reducing environmental impact and conserving natural resources. The process starts with collecting used garments through various channels like donation bins or in-store drop-offs at retailers such as H&M, Zara, and Patagonia. These clothes then get sorted into categories based on their quality and material type.

According to the WHO, e-waste contains over 1,000 different substances, many of them toxic.

Where to Recycle Clothing and Textile

Clothing and textile recycling can be done at Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local charity shops. Major brands like H&M have in-store take-back programs where you can drop off unwanted clothes for recycling or store credit. Zara also has a similar initiative in their stores. ThredUp offers mail-in services for those without nearby collection points.

For individuals looking to recycle clothing textiles, options include Goodwill and Salvation Army donation centers which accept nearly any type of fabric. Major retailers such as H&M and Zara have established take-back programs encouraging customers to bring back old garments when making purchases. Additionally, ThredUp's mail-in service allows for convenient recycling from home.

How to Prepare Clothing and Textile for Recycling

To prepare clothes for recycling, start by sorting them into categories: those that are still wearable but no longer wanted, items suitable for upcycling, and fabrics that can only be recycled. Wash all textiles before donating or dropping off; this prevents contamination in the recycling process.

Washing items thoroughly is important as it ensures hygiene standards are met and reduces the risk of mold or pests. Make sure to separate clothes into categories: those still wearable but unwanted, pieces suitable for upcycling projects like turning old t-shirts into rags, and fabrics that can only be recycled into other materials such as insulation or stuffing.

What Is Clothing and Textile Worth?

The value of clothing and textiles varies depending on the type and quality. For instance, resale shops may give $5-$20 in store credit per bag at places like H&M's Garment Collecting Programme. Recyclers pay a range from $0.03 to $0.10 per pound for bulk sorted bales.

Clothing and textile recycling doesn't generate significant monetary returns but offers tangible benefits through environmental savings. Resale shops provide incentives like store credit ranging between $5-$20 per bag based on the quantity and condition of garments donated, especially within programmes at retailers such as H&M's Garment Collecting Programme. For bulk recyclers, a more modest payment structure applies with rates typically around $0.03 to $0.10 per pound for bales of sorted textiles.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, only 22.3% of e-waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022.

Environmental Impact

Recycling clothing and textiles significantly reduces environmental impact by saving resources. Recycling one ton of clothes saves 700 gallons of water compared to producing new ones, avoiding up to 24 kg of CO2 emissions. Additionally, the global secondhand clothing market is expected to reach $197 billion by 2026.

Recycling textiles offers substantial environmental benefits including significant reductions in water usage and carbon dioxide emissions. For example, recycling one ton of clothes saves approximately 700 gallons of water compared to manufacturing new fabrics from scratch. this process prevents the release of up to 24 kg of CO2 per ton recycled. The global secondhand clothing market is projected to grow to $197 billion by 2026. Highlighting its increasing importance in sustainable fashion practices.

Safety and Regulations

Safety concerns for Clothing and Textile Recycling include avoiding wet or moldy items which can't be processed. Donors should ensure all donated textiles are clean and dry to prevent contamination issues at recycling facilities. Legal requirements vary; France mandates extended producer responsibility (EPR) since 2007, while the EU's Strategy for Sustainable Textiles aims for separate collection by 2025.

Safety guidelines dictate that items must be washed before donation or drop-off to avoid spreading mold and pests. Wet textiles can't go through recycling processes successfully due to potential contamination issues at facilities. Regulations like France's EPR since 2007 push producers towards more sustainable practices, while the EU's Sustainable Textiles Strategy requires separate collection by 2025 to streamline the recycling process further.

Sources

• WHO
• UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024
• Consumer Technology Association