Clothing, shoes, and accessories can be recycled in many different ways. The type and quality of an item will determine what method you should use.

If your clothes, shoes, and accessories are still in good, wearable condition, consider donating them to a resale or consignment shop. Goodwill Industries, Volunteers of America, and local thrift stores will take donations of gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, household items, and sometimes furniture. Check with your local store to see what items they will take.

Purple Heart, in partnership with donatestuff.com, will also take donations of gently used clothing. They offer mail in and curbside pick-up options for donations. Visit their website to schedule a donation.

Organizations like One World Center will also take donations of clothes and shoes at “box” locations. You have probably seen something similar – large metal containers often in parking lots, where you can deposit your donations through a door slot. The items they receive are then sent to families in need. Check out their website to find the location of a box near you.

If your clothing items have reached the end of their life and are no longer in good shape, you can still recycle them! The Council for Textile Recycling and the Soex Group have some great guidelines and information on recycling your old textiles.

Companies like Patagonia, H&M, and The North Face have started programs for collection of old textiles that can be broken down and made into new garments.

You can also consider making rags or crafts with your old clothes. Check out 39 ways to reuse your old t-shirt. Find other crafty ideas on sites like Pinterest and Etsy.