What are some recycling guidelines for clothing and shoes?

Larousse*: What are some recycling guidelines for clothing and shoes?
I am thinking of getting rid of a lot of old clothes and shoes, and would love to find an environmentally safe way to dispose of them. Can someone please offer suggestions for me? Are there any environmental clothing/shoe “pick-up” companies you know of in the Chicagoland area?
Anywhere other than garage sales and Goodwill! I would like my contribution to be a philanthropic one, but I’ve heard that Goodwill is not a very good charity.

Answers and Views:

Answer by dluce99
If the clothing or shoes still have some life in them, I just have outgrown them, I have a box I toss stuff into and when it gets relatively full, I take it to Goodwill or St Vincent DePaul, I get a tax deduction and my old clothes, shoes, and other items I don’t want or need can find a new home.

If stuff has holes I have cut up clothes into strips and braided them into rugs, or used as washable rags around the house, They would even work as reusable fabric softener sheets by wetting them in fabric softener and wringing it out and putting it in the dryer with your clothes. Old holey shoes, I have filled with dirt and planted Hen and chicks plants in.

Also in Chicagoland there is also craiglist or freecycle that people can come get what you have to offer. They may have a project to do, or have kids that could use old shirts as smocks etc when painting.

Hope this helps!

Answer by rwcrufler
Donate to good will, purple heart, etc.
You get a tax break at the end of the year while helping someone less fortunate.

Answer by JD
i have no idea about environmentally safe but socially helpful could be to take them to goodwill where folks on a lower budget (or even not) could take advantage of things you don’t want anymore. and it’s tax deductible.

Answer by dheepa s
hi thee are many environmental friendly ways to get Reid o f old stiff.
1 u can give it to some whose Ianthe need of it
2 have a garage sail
3 mix and mach our old cloth put some thing or cut of some thin there by creating a you own lining of clothing
result is the best way to get read all most every thing

Answer by Rick M
Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, and other such organizations are excellent options. Goodwill is one of the best because most of the clothing or shoes that cannot sell in their retail stores here in the U.S. still typically avoids the landfill. Goodwill brokers used clothing overseas to third world countries where there is a demand for even heavily used clothing sold at very low cost. Some Goodwills also sell cotton clothing scraps domestically to manufacturers of industrial wiping/cleaning rags. All revenue supports its mission and work to eliminate barriers to employment for people with disabilities. You may also find Veterans groups, churches, and other worthy organizations accepting clothing donations in your community.

Answer by Tiffany R
I prefer to look for battered womens shelters or missions. For instance in Texas we have this charity called Mission Arlington, they will set you up job interviews, a residence, clothes, food etc. But there is a time limit to how long you can be on the dole. As I said before Battered Womens shelters are my favorite though. Check at www.superpages.com and look for the category charity.

Answer by Jeanbug
Recycling guidelines for old clothes:

The obvious answer is to donate your clean, gently used clothing & shoes to local thrift stores. I prefer to donate my clothes to those stores that partner with other agencies to provide free clothes to the poor & homeless via a voucher system. Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul are two programs that provide this service ~ and should be in the Chicago area. Local shelters will also take gently worn clothes, as will “Dress for Success” programs which assist homeless women with job placement opportunities.

If your clothes are stained, pilled, torn, missing buttons, bleach stained or have some other damage ~ then they should NOT be donated to thrift stores. Quite frankly, thrift stores will throw those yucky old things in a dumpster and it’s best if you deal with them yourself.

Cotton fabric can be cut into cleaning rags; cotton, linen, and wool fabric can be safely composted. Clean material can also be cut apart in 12″ quilt squares, bundled, and donated to a thrift store in that condition.

I’m attaching a link for an article that describes more ways in which old clothes can be recycled.

Answer by PlanetBerry
Garage Sales are best if you have the time. Also, good will stores and thrifts. If not easy to get to then provide your church with your used clothing.