What Happens to Clothes at Recycling Centres?

Brits are a fashion-conscious bunch, whether we realise it or not. The country has produced many fantastic designers and become renowned for everything from the flat cap and bowler hats to three-piece suits, trench coats, tweed, and tartan. But staying at the cutting edge of fashion means many people regularly throw away old garments.

According to Clothes Aid, we send 700,000 tonnes of clothing to recycling centres, textile banks, clothes collections, and charities every year in the UK. That’s enough to fill more than 450 Olympic swimming pools. But have you ever wondered what happens to clothes at recycling centres and how our old dresses, shirts, and even socks are reused?

Discover what happens to clothes at recycling centres and their possible journeys from your wardrobe to being reused and recycled.

You can take clothes to your local tip or household waste recycling centre (HWRC) in most parts of the UK. Check before you go that they’re accepted and recycled. There should be a specific clothing/textile waste container or area for recycling – don’t throw them into any general waste bins as they may end up in landfill.

Most tips/HWRCs only accept domestic clothes waste, not commercial clothing waste from businesses or other organisations such as old uniforms or stock. If you need to get rid of any type or amount of clothing/textile waste from your company then you’ll have to arrange commercial waste collection.

Many local councils and authorities also have clothing banks around the city or town. These are often found in supermarket and council car parks and other places where there are normally bottle banks and electrical waste banks. They offer a convenient option if you don’t live near a tip or have a car.

Clothes banks and donation bins are big metal containers used by councils and charities where you can drop off all sorts of old items. Some clothes banks may only be for specific items, such as footwear, and there may be rules (such as clothes must be clean and bagged). Check any signs before popping your old clothing into a donation bin.

The waste management company in charge of the clothes banks will come and empty, remove, or replace them on a regular schedule. It could be weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or just when the donation bin is full. This may vary depending on where the clothes bank is, how much it’s used, and who’s behind it.

All the clothes from the bank will be taken to a facility for sorting and grading. Any grade A clothing (wearable, in good condition, no marks or stains) often goes to charity shops for resale. Grade B clothing (wearable but with marks, bobbling, fading, or tears) is usually sent for use overseas by people in need.

Any clothing that’s badly damaged, in no condition to be worn, and doesn’t class as grade A or B may be sent to a recycling centre. Items like bedding and some other textiles may be resold if in decent condition. Otherwise, they can go to garages and other organisations for use as dust sheets when painting.