How do you dispose of clothing or textiles in Massachusetts?

Since November 2022, almost all textiles must be recycled or donated in Massachusetts. Even torn or stained items cannot go in the trash. 

As of November 1, 2022, Massachusetts has banned clothing and textiles from the trash under MassDEP waste disposal regulations. This is the case for all textiles, and that includes clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains, fabric scraps, and pieces of all sizes. The ban covers items that are torn, stained, or worn. The point is: if it’s made of fabric, it cannot go in the trash, even if no one would wear it again, with few exceptions made for those contaminated with mold or hazmat.

MassDEP requires that damaged textiles be recycled, even if they’re not wearable. Fabric can be recycled in a lot of different ways, from industrial rags to insulation.

If you live in Massachusetts, you have four legal options for disposing of textiles. The first is drop-off bins, which are located at many municipal transfer stations and retail locations across southeastern Massachusetts. The second is local charities and thrift stores, which accept clothing and household textiles in wearable or usable condition. The third is curbside textile pickup, which some municipalities offer on a set schedule. The fourth is private junk removal services for large-volume textile disposal. 

The Junkluggers of Southeastern MA & RI handles textile removal when the volume is too large to transport yourself. Closet purges, estate cleanouts, seasonal wardrobe turnovers, and move-out cleanups all generate a lot of fabric waste—often more than a car can take in one load. The crew can pick up the full load for you and route it all to places compliant with the MassDEP regulations.

As for items in donatable condition, The Junkluggers routes them to charity partners first. Any applicable donation receipts will be provided for items donated on your behalf. Items that are too damaged for donation are sent to textile recycling facilities rather than the landfill, keeping the disposal compliant with Massachusetts law. 

Book your free on-site estimate online or call 1-800-LUG-JUNK. The Junkluggers of Southeastern MA & RI serves: southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.