Recycling textiles

From 31 January 2025, we are offering a new free kerbside textiles recycling collection service for domestic residents in Oxford, in partnership with Recycling Solutions, who work with charities and local authorities across the UK to collect unwanted clothing, shoes and textiles. In Oxford, Recycling Solutions partner with Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Domestic residents will easily be able to arrange a kerbside collection of unwanted textiles by completing an online form, which will be live on 31 January 2025.

This will go through to Recycling Solutions, who will provide details on when and how to leave your textiles on the kerbside for collection.

Collections take place on a weekly basis with the day depending on where you live in Oxford.

Approximately 3% of household waste is made up of textiles, and it is estimated that more than 1 million tonnes of textiles are sent to landfill each year. Textile recycling helps protect the environment by reducing waste at landfill sites and providing an affordable clothing supply to communities worldwide.

Items suitable for textiles recycling

• clothing and shoes
• sheets
• linen
• curtains
• duvets
• pillows
• cushions
• blankets
• towels
• handbags
• sleeping bags
• soft bags
• Wellington boots

Please make sure all items are clean and dry.

Items not suitable for Textiles Recycling

• upholstered furniture
• beanbags
• rugs
• mats

Alternatives to kerbside recycling

If you prefer, you can take your textiles to the new recycling bank at Rose Hill Community Centre (from 31 January 2025) which will be available 24 hours a day or to Redbridge Household Waste Recycling Centre (Oxfordshire County Council website).

You can also donate items in good condition to charity shops, pass to friends or family, sell on second hand marketplaces, or repurpose them yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to use the service?

No, the collection of textiles for recycling is completely free to Oxford residents.

Is there a minimum amount of textiles I can recycle?

No, you can recycle any amount of textiles.

How often can I have a textiles collection?

Recycling Solutions will collect textiles for recycling every week so you can book a collection as often as you need one.

Do you collect from flats?

Yes. When you contact Recycling Solutions, they will discuss where to leave your textiles for recycling.

Is there a particular type of bag I need to leave my textiles in?

No, any bag can be used to store your textiles in for collection. Recycling Solutions will advise when you book your collection.

Where do I leave my textiles for collection?

Generally, you would leave them by the roadside outside of your property. Recycling Solutions will advise when you book in your collection.

Can I take my textiles to a recycling centre instead?

Yes. There is a new textiles recycling bank at Rose Hill Community Centre as well as Redbridge Household Waste Recycling Centre (Oxfordshire County Council website).

Why is it important to recycle textiles?

Approximately 3% of household waste is made up of textiles, and it is estimated that more than 1 million tonnes of textiles are sent to landfill each year. Textile recycling helps protect the environment by reducing waste at landfill sites, and providing an affordable clothing supply to communities worldwide.

Who are Recycling Solutions?

Recycling Solutions are a family run recycling company, established in 2007. They work with charities and local authorities across the UK to collected unwanted clothing, shoes and textiles. Every month they divert at least 200,000kg from landfill and raise thousands of pounds for our partners.

What happens to the textiles after they have been collected?

Most of the clothing which is collected is processed and sold abroad. This is because the amount of people who wish to buy second hand clothing in the UK is smaller than the quantities of clothing Recycling Solutions produce. Recycling Solutions is an ethical company and will only sell stock to onward markets where free and fair trade is available.

Good quality items which can be reused are sold to second-hand clothing traders in Ukraine. Recycling Solutions has a ‘zero-waste approach’, so 'end of life' garments are recycled into industrial wipers and cloths, mattress filling, insulation and new fibres.

What happens to the proceeds Recycling Solutions make from selling on the textiles?

Recycling Solutions work with local charities throughout the UK. In Oxford the proceeds from the clothing will support Thames Valley Air Ambulance.