Recycle Your Textiles Today!

Have old clothes? Don’t toss them—recycle them! The Department of Public Works (DPW) has partnered with Helpsy, a Certified B Corporation, to install blue textile recycling bins at all DPW Residential Drop-Off Centers. These bins make it easy for Baltimore residents to give their unwanted clothing a second life.

How It Works:

Reusable items are sorted and sent to thrift stores across North America and beyond. 
Non-reusable textiles are transformed into materials like insulation or industrial rags.

Explore Drop-Off Locations
These are Helpsy donation bins for collecting clothing and shoes

Why Recycle Textiles?

Each year, millions of pounds of textiles end up in landfills. Recycling helps:

  • Reduce waste and pollution.
  • Save energy and water by reusing materials.
  • Conserve resources by extending fabric life.
Compressed recycled textile block

What Can You Recycle?

You can drop off items that are:

  • Stained, ripped, or missing buttons
  • Worn out or have broken zippers
  • Completely dry
Clothing
  • Tops, Sweaters, Sweatshirts
  • Dresses
  • Outerwear
  • Bottoms (pants, slacks, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, shorts, leggings, etc.)
  • Suits
  • Pajamas
  • Socks, tights, stockings, nylons, hosiery, pantyhose
  • Intimates (bras, underwear, socks)
  • Baby clothes  
Footwear
  • Heels
  • Boots
  • Sneakers
  • Cleats/spikes
  • Slippers
Accessories
  • Hats
  • Bags (handbags, backpacks, duffle bags, totes, cloth shopping bags)
  • Gloves
  • Ties, scarves
  • Bathrobes
  • Jewelry including watches and sunglasses
Linens
  • Sheets/pillowcases
  • Blankets/quilts
  • Comforters
  • Curtains/Drapes
  • Aprons
  • Dish cloths/cloth napkins
  • Table linens
Other
  • Suitcases/luggage
  • Swimwear/bathing suits
  • Leather items, fur clothing items and fake fur/leather clothing items
  • Stuffed animals/toys
  • Sports jerseys/uniforms
  • Halloween or other costumes
  • Slip covers and other furniture coverings