Clothes and shoes

a clothing and shoes recycling bank
Home | Waste & Resources | Residents | Clothes and shoes

Five top tips for reusing and recycling textiles

1. Swishing

Swishing is a fun, free fashion fix for friends, a way to have a clear out and get a whole new wardrobe without spending any money. The idea is to get together with friends and family to swap clothes, accessories and shoes. Visit our swishing page for ideas on how to hold your own swishing party, and to order your free swishing party guide.

2. Community exchange events

There are free community exchange events in north London called ‘Stuff for Free’ where you can bring pre-loved clothes, shoes and other items. Visit our community exchange events page to find out when the next event is.

3. Clothing and shoe banks

Reusing and recycling textiles in north London is easy, with many clothing and shoe banks available. Both good quality and damaged items can be donated, provided they are in a bag to keep them clean and dry, and shoes are tied together in pairs. To find clothing and shoe banks in your borough, use Recycle for London's recycling bank locator.

4. Charity shops and jumble sales

There may be regular car boot sales, jumble sales and fetes in your borough where you can take your unwanted textiles to be sold. Charity shops are also a great place to take pre-loved clothes. Use the Charity Retail Association’s handy tool to find your nearest shop.

5. Repair and reuse

If items are a bit worn or don’t fit, try customising or fixing them to give them a new lease of life and save you money. Use floral scarves or off cuts of pretty fabric for waste-free gift wrapping. Tear up old t-shirts or sheets to make rags and cleaning cloths.

Free swishing party guide

Go to our swishing page to order your free swishing party guide

What happens to textiles after collection?

When textile banks are emptied, the items are taken to a facility to be sorted

Good quality items which can be worn again are sorted, packed and sent for re-use, often exported to other countries where clothing from the UK is valued highly

Damaged items are separated out and sent for recycling so they can be made into new, useful items 

Absorbent items (soiled/torn t-shirts, sweatshirts) are separated out to be made into cleaning cloths with little or no further processing