Clothing and Textile Recovery
Bring your clothing and textiles to one of our drop-off bins (they all have pink stickers), a Zero Waste Day event, or schedule an appointment for curbside collection.
Massachusetts bans textiles from disposal so the City of Boston does not accept clothing and textiles in curbside trash.
About 85% of the textiles currently thrown away could have been donated, reused, or recovered instead.
To help residents follow this policy, we offer two options to get rid of clothing and textiles:
- drop boxes (with pink stickers) conveniently located throughout the City, and
- curbside textile collection.
Items that are worn, torn, or stained are still accepted! Place soiled, wet, or moldy items in your curbside trash for collection.
-
Have questions? Contact 311:
-
Overflowing drop-off bin?
If you see an overflowing drop-off bin, please email dispatch@cmrkne.com and it will be serviced within 24 hours.
Accepted Clothing and Textiles
Accepted Textiles- For re-wear, reuse, and recovery, we accept the following items in any condition, so long as they are clean, dry, and odorless.
- Everything should be kept dry in a closed, plastic bag.
- Drop off bins accept clothing, textiles, and accessories. Curbside collection also accepts small household items.
Footwear:
- All shoes: heels, flats, dress shoes, sandals, flip flops, cleats, sneakers, boots, slippers
Linens:
- Bedding: pillowcases, blankets, comforters, sheets, quilts
- Curtains/Drapes
- Aprons
- Dish Cloths
- Towels
- Table linens: cloth napkins, tablecloths
- Area rugs (Max size = 4ft x 4ft) (Curbside only)
Arts & Collectibles:
- Prints (Curbside only)
- Paintings (Curbside only)
- Sports memorabilia (Curbside only)
household items
- DVDs in boxes, maximum 3 per pickup (Curbside only)
- Dishes & Plates (Curbside only)
- Pots & Pans (Curbside only)
- Silverware (Curbside only)
- Coffee makers, Blenders & Rice cookers (Curbside only)
- Textbooks & Books (Curbside only)
- Stuffed animals
Other:
- Most musical instruments (Curbside only)
- Bikes (Curbside only)
Clothing:
- Tops (t-shirt, blouses, shirts, tank tops, sports jerseys)
- Sweaters
- Sweatshirts
- Dresses
- Outerwear (coats, jackets, blazers)
- Bottoms (pants, slacks, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, shorts)
- Suits
- Socks
- Pajamas
- Slips
- Bras
- Underwear
- Baby clothing
Accessories:
- Hats
- Bags (pocketbooks, backpacks, duffle bags, totes)
- Luggage (Curbside only)
- Belts
- Gloves
- Ties
- Scarves
- Bathrobes
- Jewelry
- Wet items
- Moldy items
- Dirty items
- Furniture (such as mattresses)
- Bulky items (such as microwaves)
- Large instruments: Piano, organ
- Magazines
Curbside Textile Pickup
Schedule Curbside PickupDrop-off locations
See an overflowing bin?
Email dispatch@cmrkne.com and it will be serviced within 24 hours.
What happens to my clothing and textiles?
Nearly 100% of donated clothing and textiles are recovered! They are separated into 3 grades: usable clothing, wiping cloth grade, and fiber conversion grade.
- About 45% of donated textiles are sold as second hand apparel. They are sold either to charities or for-profit exporters that export clothing to developing countries.
- Another 30% is turned into industrial wiping cloths. Textiles are cut into rags and sold to places like commercial garages.
- The remaining 20% is broken down into their basic fiber components. They are re-manufactured into insulation, carpet padding, or soundproofing materials.
Translated Flyers
Translated Flyers-
Have questions? Contact 311:
-
Overflowing drop-off bin?
If you see an overflowing drop-off bin, please email dispatch@cmrkne.com and it will be serviced within 24 hours.
