Textile Recycling, Donation, and Consignment

Recycling

Do you have torn or stained items that can’t be donated? Stuffed animals that can’t find a new home? Recycle them!

Bay State Textiles operates donation boxes at the Westport Transfer Station that accept any condition of apparel, footwear, accessories (bags, gloves, scarfs), home linens, pillows, throws, and stuffed animals – as long as they are dry. Click here for the full list.

Many fashion brands also have recycling programs. Take Madewell or Levi’s, for example, where you can donate denim from any brand, and the Nike Recycled Sneaker & Clothes Program, where you can drop off athletic shoes from any brand. Even if an item is badly stained, missing buttons, or torn, it can still be recycled into rags, pillows, stuffed animals, or insulation for various uses.

Donate

Always call or email the organization for details before donating, as hours and location are subject to change.

MATERNITY AND INFANTS

Mothers for Others, Greenwich

Accepts gently used baby items (i.e. baby swings, strollers, high chairs, bouncy seats, and pack-n-plays) as well as disposable diapers. No car seats, opened diaper packages, baby baths, toilet seats, cribs, or mattresses.

ABC Women’s Center: Charitable Donations

Agency accepts donations of maternity clothes, infant clothes, women’s clothes, and children’s clothing to size 5. Donations of office equipment and computers, to support agency programs are also accepted.

Baby2Baby

Provides low-income children, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.

GENERAL KIDS’ CLOTHING

Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County

Mission is to provide new and quality used clothing to low income or in-crisis school ages children in Fairfield County, Ct, free of charge.

Clothes to Kids

This national non-profit organization provides underprivileged local children with clothing appropriate for school. For more efficient distribution, branches are divided by state.

SPECIAL OCCASION AND SHOES

Operation Prom

This national organization takes in preloved prom gowns and tuxedos. Operation Prom National Network, Inc., helps students attend their prom by providing free dresses and tuxedos. They distribute prom formal wear as well as accessory items such as shoes, undergarments, jewelry, and bowties.

PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Dress for Success of Mid-Fairfield County

The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Save-A-Suit

Save-A-Suit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They provide former military and college graduates with professional business attire and the confidence needed to succeed.

Bottomless Closet

Career clothing and coaching for women

SHOES

Give a Kick

Started by three middle schoolers, Give A Kick’s mission is to collect shoes for kids and adults in need. They have donated over 800+ pairs of shoes so far.

Reuse-A-Shoe

Nike’s program that accepts sneakers of any brand and turns them into things we need, either by passing them forward or recycling them into playground turf and other materials.

OTHER WAYS TO PASS IT FORWARD

Give Back Box gives each cardboard box a second life to help people in need. Use any cardboard box you may have, to donate your unwanted items to make a major difference in the life of another person.

Local Drives: Your child’s school, place of worship, or nearby grocery store probably have opportunities for donation. Around the holiday season, many organizations run drives to solve a specific need. Some may be for coats, others for hats and gloves. When charities are local and specific, proper distribution is very likely.

Open Door CT collects clothing, food, and books year-round for neighbors in need.