Clothing donation and recycling

Donate or recycle unwanted clothing, linens, and accessories

The best way to reduce clothing waste is to buy less and repair more — but when you do need to part with items, donation and recycling can help keep them out of the garbage.

About 20-25% of donated clothing is resold or reused locally. That’s because the volume of clothing donated is higher than the demand for local reuse. The remaining clothes are sold to used clothing brokers, who then sort and sell the clothing to markets where they can be used, and some is ultimately disposed in the garbage.

• ​Learn more about what happens to donated clothes
  

Donation and recycling locations

Use Metro Vancouver Recycles to find a donation or recycling location near you for both reusable and non-reusable clothing, linens, and accessories.

Find a location​

Just search "clothing" in the 'materials' section, and select one of the following options:

1. ​ Clothing — reusable
   • Organizations through this search are looking for quality items in good to excellent condition. These locations may have restrictions on what they accept, so make sure to double check the organization's website or call ahead to confirm what items they do accept.
   • Find places to donate to organizations such as thrift stores and clothing provider charities.
   • Also find a place to consign your clothing in good condition and put some money back in your pocket.
   • Most of these location will also take your unwanted jewelry, purses, wallets, hats, sunglasses and so forth if they are in good condition.
2. Clothing — ​non-reusable
   • Organizations found through this search will accept most items, with the exception of heavily soiled, paint-stained or oil-stained clothing.
   • Ensure the items are clean and dry when they are dropped off or prepared for pick-up.
   • Yes, even holey socks can go to these locations.
   • Most of these locations will also take your unwanted jewelry, purses, wallets, hats, sunglasses and so forth, but unlike the clothing, they need to be in good condition.
3. Shoes (reusable)
   • Footwear (even single shoes) can be donated, but they have to be in good condition. There are no recycling markets for torn and worn and holey shoes at this time.
4. Textiles
   • Looking for a place to take your bedding, towels, tablecloths and so forth that you no longer use? Search for "textiles" and select the appropriate condition (reusable) or (non-reusable)
     

Pick-up services for unwanted clothing​