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Circular economy: textiles
King County is working to keep clothing, shoes, linens, and other textiles out of the landfill. Through Re+, we support residents in donating, reusing, repairing, and recycling textiles, helping conserve resources, reduce waste, and strengthen our local circular economy.
What are textiles?
Textiles include any items made from natural, synthetic, or blended fibers. This covers:
Clothing and accessories
- Shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, suits, uniforms
- Jackets, coats, snow pants, ski pants
- Scarves, hats, gloves, socks
- Pairs of wearable shoes and boots, handbags, backpacks
- Baby clothing, bibs, onesies
- Costumes, athletic wear, swimwear
Household textiles
- Curtains and fabric window coverings
- Blankets, quilts, throws
- Towels, napkins, tablecloths
- Bedding and linens (no mattresses)
- Small throw rugs (up to 3 ft x 4 ft)
Why textile circularity matters
Textile circularity focuses on recovering materials, reducing waste, and extending product life. When textiles are reused or recycled:
- Less waste goes to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
- Fewer resources are needed to produce new materials
- Local organizations gain reusable goods
- Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions decrease
Residents can take simple steps to support textile circularity through donating, repairing, reusing, and recycling items whenever possible.
How to reuse, repair, or recycle textiles in King County
Clean, dry textiles can be donated for reuse at many locations across the region. Explore options below.
Donation locations and programs
There are many thrift and consignment stores, nonprofits, and other organizations that want your clothes, shoes, linens, and other textiles for reuse or recycling - here are a few:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Puget Sound – Find a drop box
- Evergreen Goodwill (King County) – Find a drop box or store
- Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region – Find a drop box or store
- Ridwell – Learn more
- The Salvation Army – Find a drop box, schedule a pickup, or visit a store
- Value Village – Find a drop box or store
- TexGreen, Inc. – Email to schedule a pickup or find a location
- USAgain – Find a drop box
- Washington State Department of Ecology – Textiles market development
Find more options on What do I do with…?.
Mending and repair
- Sewing and alterations businesses – Listings of more than 80 in King County. Most are small, independent businesses. From the King County repair businesses directory.
- Repair events – All of King County's free community repair events, and many other programs' large repair events (aka repair cafés), include crews of volunteer sewists. Using their own sewing machines, they can help with small mending needs for clothing and other textiles.
Regional textile repurposing organizations
These groups help repair, redesign, or repurpose textiles:
Regional textile recycling companies
These companies recycle textiles into new materials:
Textile recycling at King County transfer stations
King County residents and businesses (outside Seattle and Milton) can use textile recycling bins at these transfer stations:
- Factoria Recycling & Transfer Station
- Houghton Recycling & Transfer Station
- Renton Recycling & Transfer Station
- Shoreline Recycling & Transfer Station
Accepted items
- Clean and wearable clothing
- Clean bedding (no mattresses)
- Wearable pairs of boots and shoes
- Clean curtains
- Clean fabric and linens
Bins are located in the main recycling area and are free to use.
City curbside pickup programs
Some cities offer additional textile collection services:
Visit each city's website for details.
More ways to reduce textile waste
- Explore sustainable purchasing tips, repair resources, and reuse ideas in the Re+ Zero Waste Action Guide.