Clothing, blankets and fabrics
Clothing and textiles that are in good condition can be donated and sold for re-use. Items that aren’t suitable to be passed onto someone else can sometimes be recycled and made into new items.
Disposal options
- Give to a friend or sell online
- Donate to businesses and charities that specialise in the acceptance and resale of second-hand clothing, blankets and fabrics, (ring for opening times and shop locations) such as:
- Old blankets, sheets and towels (no fluffy doonas or bath mats) can be donated to Domestic Animal Services. Drop off your donations at 92 Mugga Lane in Symonston between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
- For items in good condition, consider donating to GIVIT – a national not-for-profit connecting those who have with those who need, in a private and safe way.
- Drop off clean textile items like clothing, accessories, shoes and bedding including sheets, doona covers and blankets to a Koomarri Cut Cloth collection bin located at:
- Drop off free at The Green Shed at:
- Drop off clothes and textiles from any brand, in any condition (old clothing, underwear, old socks, ripped tights, old towels and sheets) to the Garment Recycling Collection Box located in all H&M stores.
- Return old sheets and towels (any brand) to Sheridan Boutique stores (Manuka, ACT).
- Other unusable textiles and fabrics can be donated to ACT Wildlife or Wildcare Queanbeyan for use in animal welfare.
- Send to Upparel for reuse and recycling.
- Place unusable textiles in the rubbish bin, or you can compost natural fibres in your backyard compost.
Why?
Clothing, blankets and fabrics are not accepted in the recycling bin as they get tangled and damage machinery at the Materials Recovery Facility.
Millions of tonnes of clothing in Australia are purchased and not worn, going to waste in landfill. Consider avoidance and second hand clothing. Only buy what you need, buy quality over quantity and repair or reuse where possible.