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Where do I take clothing, shoes and textiles?

How to recycle clothing, shoes and textiles

How do I donate usable clothing and shoes?

Contact local charities to find out what type of reusable clothes, shoes and damaged textiles are accepted.

Can I recycle clothing, shoes and textiles?

Yes. Take clothing and textiles, even damaged goods, to any City Eco Centre for free textile recycling. Our clothing bins accept a variety of textiles including:

  • Clothing (shirts, dresses, pants, underwear, sweaters)
  • Outerwear (e.g. coats and jackets)
  • Shoes and footwear (sandals, sneakers, runners, dress shoes, heels)
  • Purses, backpacks, wallets, and belts
  • Household linens (e.g. bedding, towels, curtains, pillows, tea towels, duvets and blankets)
  • Reusable shopping bags (e.g. cloth grocery store bags, Lululemon bags)
  • ​​Burlap bags (coffee or rice)
  • Underwear, bras and hosiery
  • Accessories like hats, mittens and scarves
  • Rags, and scrap fabric 
  • Cleaning cloths (e.g. Swedish dishcloths, compostable dishcloths, microfiber and cotton) ensure cleaning fabrics are laundered first
  • Sleeping bags and tents (no poles)
  • Carry-on sized luggage, suitcases and duffel bags (these bags must fit in textile bin otherwise please take to a thrift store or donation centre

How do I prepare clothes and textiles for recycling?

  • Even if the material is ripped or damaged, make sure that all clothing and fabrics are clean before bringing in for recycling.
  • Place items inside a bag before dropping off at the City Eco Centre. This helps keeps the clothing dry and makes it easier to collect.
  • If you bring other garbage in your load, charges will apply.

Eco Centre locations listed below:

Clothing and shoes

What happens to the clothing and textiles brought to the City Eco Centre?

Clothing and textiles are donated, reused, repaired, repurposed, or recycled depending on their condition. All dropped-off clothing and textiles are organized by Goodwill Alberta.

  • Reusable clothing is sorted and sold in the local second-hand store market in in Calgary. Clothing that isn't sold in the Calgary Goodwill stores is then offered to the public in the Goodwill Calgary Outlet Store, where all textiles are sold by weight at affordable rates. Unsold materials are then further utilized by Goodwill@Work, a team based at the Goodwill Calgary Impact Centre composed entirely of individuals facing barriers to employment. They use cotton-based materials to create cleaning cloths, mixed rags, reusable tote bags, and aprons. Winter clothing in good condition is sorted and stored, and these products are offered to local nonprofits, government agencies, and more at discounted prices.
  • The remaining products, mostly worn, torn, stained, or otherwise unusable, are recycled. The materials are separated and sorted into over 400 different categories based on condition and fiber grade by third-party partners based in Canada and/or abroad. Textile recyclers transform old clothing, shoes, linens, and fabrics into new products. These materials are then downcycled into products like rags, insulations, and non-woven items such as emergency blankets and fillers.

Please note that Goodwill offers textile donation options at all of their stores, donation centres and Impact Centre in Calgary.

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