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Clothing and textile recycling

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Learn how you can responsibly consume clothing and textiles to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.

Woman in a home lounge placing used clothing in a cardboard box for recycling.

Why is clothing and textile recycling important?

It is estimated that 800,000 tonnes of textile waste goes into landfill each year in Australia. When textiles are sent to landfill, it produces potent greenhouse emissions that are harmful to the environment.

The ‘fast fashion’ industry mass-produces inexpensive textiles that are responsible for approximately 8% of all global greenhouse emissions. 

Responsible production, consumption and disposal of textiles are key factors in reducing the impacts of clothing and textile waste.

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What goes in my bins?

Recycling in Brisbane

Treasure Troves

Resource recovery centres

How to reduce the impacts of fast fashion

We all play a vital role in slowing down fast fashion and contributing to a more sustainable Brisbane. 

Buying second-hand or renting clothes has a positive social and environmental impact and is worth considering when you are shopping for clothing or costumes.


Here are some simple ways to reduce the impacts of fast fashion.

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Reduce

  • Ask yourself, 'Do I really need this?' before you buy any textile item.
  • Choose high-quality, versatile clothing over cheap, poorly made, fast fashion items. These items might cost more but often last longer. 
  • Consider clothes that are made of natural fibres such as cotton, linen, wool, silk, hemp or bamboo. 
  • Buy second-hand or rent clothes when you're shopping for clothing or costumes.
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Reuse

  • Old towels, sheets and blankets can be donated to local animal shelters, vets, mechanics and painters.
  • Donate good quality clothing and textile items to op-shops or to Council's Treasure Troves or consider selling online.
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Recycle

  • You can send used clothes and other textiles in any condition to retailers such as Upparel, H&M and Zara for recycling. Shoes and thongs can be recycled through the Tread Lightly recycling scheme.
  • Pre-loved sheets and towels (any brand) at your local Sheridan store.
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Note

Clothing and textiles cannot be recycled in your yellow-lid recycling bin. If your clothing and textiles cannot be reused in other ways, they should be placed in your red-lid general waste bin. 

Frequently asked questions

You can send used clothes and other textiles in any condition to retailers such as Upparel, H&M and Zara and for recycling.

As a last resort, place your worn-out clothes and other textile waste in your red-lid general waste bin.

No. If clothing and textiles cannot be reused in other ways, they should be placed in your red-lid general waste bin.

Old towels and blankets can be donated to animal shelters and veterinary clinics such as RSPCA Queensland or the Animal Welfare League Queensland.