Almost all of your clothes can be recycled. Even if they’re stained, ripped or past their best, they aren’t rubbish. Cotton on to recycling your clothes and shoes so you never need to bin them again
You can recycle your unwanted clothes in textile banks at any of our 20 recycling centres or at supermarkets and car parks – even your odd socks
Because there’s a better place for them than the bin! Just because your old clothes don’t fit, doesn’t mean they can’t serve a purpose. Old clothes, whatever their condition, contain valuable fibres than be turned into other things. When you recycle them, we can keep them in use for longer, meaning we don’t need to make new materials.
The best thing is, it’s really simple. There are clothing banks on all of the 20 recycling centres across Greater Manchester, as well as in supermarket carparks and in some clothing shops. All you need to do is make sure they’re dry and pop them in a bag. We’ll do the rest and make sure they’re turned into something new.
They’re collected from clothing banks and hand-sorted right here in Greater Manchester. Any clothes that aren’t in good enough condition to be reworn will be made into something new. This might be horse bedding, carpet underlay or even car seats. Nothing goes to waste.
Shoes and other accessories like handbags and belts can also be recycled. They’re just as valuable as clothing. 
Reduce the amount of clothing you buy. Start by not buying anything new for month or two and bag yourself some second-hand bargains.
Buy clothing that is well made and will last longer, try, and avoid fast fashion.
Consider repairing, altering, and repurpose old clothes. Find a local or online business that can do repairs and alterations – it will be cheaper than buying new.
Try and buy things that have been upcycled, recycled material or are made from natural fabrics.
Try swapping or sharing clothes with friends of family.
Sell or donate unwanted items of clothing.
Read the labels and care for your clothes, it will help them last longer!
Plan and consider hiring outfits for that special occasion.
Try dyeing light coloured clothes that are stained or grubby or if they are beyond wearing, use them as rags and cleaning cloths.
Retailers take back schemes, find out if your favourite retailer will take back your unwanted clothes for reuse and recycling.
Anything material that is spun, woven, or knitted from either natural or artificial fibres.
You can donate clothes in a good condition to a charity shop.
You can take bagged clothes and textiles in any condition, including items not suitable for reuse i.e. ripped or stained to your local recycling centre and put them in the textile bin.
No, you can also donate paired shoes, belts, bags and some even take accessories.
