Donation Options for Wearable Clothing
| Organization | What They Accept | Pickup Available? |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwill | All clothing, any condition | No (drop-off only) |
| Salvation Army | All clothing | Yes — schedule online |
| Dress for Success | Professional women's clothing | No (drop-off only) |
| Habitat for Humanity | All clothing | Yes — schedule online |
| Vietnam Veterans of America | Clothing and household goods | Yes — curbside pickup |
| Local shelters / churches | Varies — call ahead | Sometimes |
Retailer Take-Back and Recycling Programs
These programs accept clothing of any brand and condition — worn, torn, or stained items are fine:
| Retailer | Program | Incentive |
|---|---|---|
| H&M | Garment Collection bins in-store | Discount voucher |
| Nike | Reuse-A-Shoe / Nike Grind (sneakers) | None |
| Levi's | SecondHand collection in-store | Store credit |
| Patagonia | Worn Wear program (Patagonia only) | Store credit |
| The North Face | Renewed program (any brand) | None |
| Madewell | Denim Recycling (any brand jeans) | $20 discount |
Sell Clothing for Cash
- Poshmark / Depop — Best for on-trend items; takes ~20% commission
- ThredUp — Mail in a bag; they price and list items; lower payout but zero effort
- The RealReal / Vestiaire — Luxury and designer brands only
- Facebook Marketplace — Good for bulk lots of kids' clothing by size
- Local consignment shops — Inspect in person; typically 50/50 split
Textile Recycling for Worn-Out Items
Clothing that is too worn, stained, or damaged to donate can still be recycled into industrial rags, insulation, or new fiber. Options:
- Curbside textile bins — Many municipalities have stand-alone textile collection bins near parking lots or recycling centers
- USAgain bins — Blue collection bins at retail locations nationwide
- Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) — Find member recyclers at smartasn.org
When to Call Junk Removal
If you're clearing an estate, hoarding situation, or multiple rooms at once, a junk removal company can remove all clothing and household goods in a single trip. They'll typically set aside obvious donation items and dispose of the rest. Cost: $150–$400 depending on volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can clothing go in the recycling bin?
No. Clothing and textiles should never go in curbside recycling bins — they jam sorting machinery. Use textile collection bins, donation drop-offs, or retailer take-back programs instead.
What happens to clothes donated to Goodwill?
Goodwill sells what it can in-store. Unsold items are bundled and sold to textile recyclers or exported to developing markets. Very little ends up in a landfill directly from Goodwill.
Does H&M really recycle clothes?
H&M collects clothing of any brand and condition in in-store garment collection bins. They partner with I:Collect (I:CO) to sort items for reuse, remaking, or recycling. You receive a discount voucher in return.
Can I throw away clothes that are too worn to donate?
Yes, but consider textile recycling first. Worn, stained, and torn clothing can still be recycled into rags, insulation, or fiber — it does not need to be wearable.
How do I get rid of a large amount of clothing quickly?
Schedule a free Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity pickup for bags and boxes. For very large quantities (estate cleanouts), a junk removal company can haul everything and sort donations from trash.