Do Clothes Go in the Trash or Recycling Bin? (2026 Guide)
Do Clothes Go in the Trash or the Recycling Bin? Standing over the bin with a worn-out t-shirt in your hand is a more complicated moment than it looks. Recycling feels like the responsible choice, but most household recycling systems weren't built to handle fabric at all. Get it wrong, and you can end up jamming machinery at a sorting facility, or worse, sending something recyclable straight to landfill. This guide explains exactly where old clothes should go, why curbside recycling bins almost never accept them, and what to do with clothing that's too worn to donate. You'll also find country-specific guidance for the US, UK, and Australia. Quick Answer Clothes do not belong in your household recycling bin. Curbside recycling is designed for paper, glass, plastic, and metal, not fabric, and textiles can jam sorting equipment. Old clothing should instead go to a charity shop, a dedicated textile recycling bin, or a retailer take-back scheme. Only clothing that is wet...