Drop off at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station
Use the Frederick Road/Route 355 entrance to the Transfer Station and follow the signs to the Textile Recycling Area (look for the blue boxes located next to the Book Shed).
Drop off clothing, shoes, and other textiles at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. We accept clothing and other textiles that are dry and free of mildew—place materials in a closed plastic bag to keep out moisture that could cause mildew. The Transfer Station partners with Reclothing, LLC (DBA Helpsy) and a local non-profit that collects, sorts, and reuses or recycles the material.
Acceptable materials include:
Clothing, including but not limited to:
- Tops (including, but not limited to, t-shirts, blouses, shirts, tank tops, etc.)
- Sweaters and cardigans
- Sweatshirts
- Dresses
- Outerwear (including, but not limited to, coats, jackets, blazers, vests, safety vests (reflective vests), life vests/life jackets, ponchos, raincoats, etc.)
- Bottoms (including, but not limited to, pants, slacks, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, shorts, leggings, etc.)
- Suits
- Pajamas
- Socks, tights, stockings, nylons, hosiery, pantyhose
- Intimates (including, but not limited to, slips, bras, boxers, briefs, underwear, undergarments, etc.)
- Baby clothing
Footwear, including but not limited to:
- Shoes
- Heels (e.g., wedges, pumps, stilettos, boots)
- Flats
- Sandals
- Flip flops
- Boots (all varieties, e.g., work boots, dress boots, winter boots, cowboy boots, etc.)
- Sneakers
- Cleats/spikes
- Slippers
- Dress shoes
Accessories, including but not limited to:
- Head coverings and face/neck coverings, hats, turbans and religious coverings, religious caps, baseball caps, sun hats, sombreros, cold weather hats, earmuffs, beanies, brimless hats, visors, dress hats/caps, swimming caps, cowboy hats, etc.
- Bags/purses/wallets/coin purses (including, but not limited to, handbags, pocketbooks, backpacks, duffle bags, totes, cloth shopping bags, etc.)
- Belts
- Gloves, mittens
- Ties
- Scarves, shawls and handkerchiefs (e.g., kerchiefs or bandannas)
- Bathrobes
- Jewelry including watches and sunglasses/shades
Linens
- Bedding/fitted and flat sheets/pillowcases/linens
- Blankets, including fleece and emergency blankets
- Comforters/duvets/duvet covers/coverlets/top quilts
- Curtains/drapes/draperies
- Aprons
- Kitchen linens (e.g., dish cloths/rags)
- Cloth napkins
- Cloth cleaning rags
- Table linens/runners
- Placemats
- Quilts
Other textiles, including but not limited to:
- Suitcases/luggage
- Swimwear/bathing suits
- Leather items, fur clothing items and fake fur/leather clothing items
- Stuffed animals/toys
- Sport Jerseys/uniforms
- School or other uniforms
- Halloween or other costumes
- Slip covers and other furniture coverings
This Acceptable Material list includes Acceptable Material in any condition (stained, worn out, torn, ripped missing buttons, broken zippers, etc.). The Acceptable Material must be odorless and cannot be wet. Acceptable Material which is not suitable for reuse will be recycled into new materials or products, such as wiper rags or insulation, to be detailed by the Contractor.
Donate to your favorite charity
Donate clothing, shoes, and other textiles that are in good condition to your favorite charity. The Montgomery County Volunteer Center and DEP maintain lists of local organizations that accept usable items. You may donate other textiles like linens, fabric and furniture covers to your local animal shelter/rescue, including the Montgomery County Humane Society. Contact your favorite charity to confirm their needs.
Clothing take-backs
Some of your favorite clothing retailers or manufacturers may have a clothing take-back program. Check with your retailer or manufacturer to see if they have such a program and let them recycle your old clothes. As an added bonus, many of the take-back programs offer vouchers or coupons toward a new purchase!
Rugs and Carpets
Rugs and carpets can be donated for reuse or disposed of in the following manner
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts area rugs (under 11 feet in length) in new or excellent condition for reuse
- The Loading Dock accepts new carpet
- Community Forklift accepts area rugs in good condition (must be clean), as well as new, manageable sized rolls of carpet (on a case by case basis)
- Old rugs and carpets that cannot be reused may be brought to the Transfer Station as trash. If you receive County-provided curbside trash collection, you may request a bulk trash pickup for rugs and carpets that do not fit in your trash can. Please add smaller rugs to your regular household trash.
Carpet Padding
- Carpet padding can be recycled if taken to: DC Foam Recycle Center, 3761 Commerce Drive, Suite 406, Baltimore, MD 21227, 410-247-7777
County-provided curbside recycling collection
We do not collect clothing, shoes, and other textiles for donation or recycling as part of County-provided curbside recycling collection. Please do not add these materials to your recycling bin or cart.
