Textile Recycling: What You Need to Know

Do you have old clothes you no longer wear? It might be tempting to throw them in the trash, but that’s not the best option for our environment. Let's talk about why recycling textiles is important and how you can do it right.

Can You Throw Clothes in the Trash or Recycling Bin?

No! Clothes are not biodegradable, which means they don’t break down naturally in landfills. If you can’t donate them or find a new use for them, recycling is the best choice. However, don’t just put clothes in your regular recycling bin at the curb. Instead, check with your local waste management service for locations where you can recycle your textiles properly.

Can You Compost Old Clothing?

Composting clothing isn’t straightforward. Natural materials like cotton, silk, and wool can break down over time, but this process is really slow—it could take several months or even longer! A quicker way to deal with old clothes is to use them as cleaning rags. Just remember, synthetic fabrics like polyester won’t decompose, so don’t add those to a compost pile.

Textile Recycling in New Milford

If you're in New Milford, you have great options for recycling! Our local recycling center has special bins for textiles, thanks to the Salvation Army. This makes it easy to recycle clothes instead of throwing them away.

For more information, check out the New Milford Recycling Center https://www.nmctrecycling.org/new-page-1

By recycling our textiles, we can help reduce waste and protect our environment. Let's work together for a cleaner, greener community!