What happens if you put Clothes and textiles in the wrong bin?

Never put textiles in the kerbside recycling bin — they wind around sorting shafts and stop the line. Never put wet or mouldy fabric in a clothing bank; it ruins everything it touches.

Where do Clothes and textiles go?

Wearable: charity shop or clothing bank. Worn out: still the textile bank — damaged clothes are sorted for fibre and rag, not landfill.

Donate or reuse

The persistent mistake is binning clothes that are stained, torn or unfashionable on the assumption that only sellable items are wanted. Textile banks and charity sorting operations grade what comes in: the best is resold, the rest goes to wiping cloths and to fibre recovery for insulation and stuffing. What genuinely cannot be used is wet, mouldy or contaminated with paint or oil, because it spoils the bale around it. Kerbside recycling never takes textiles — they wrap around the sorting machinery — so it is a bank, a shop or a council textile sack.

How to prepare it

Wash and dry everything, including the items you know are past wearing.
Bag clothes separately from shoes and tie the bag.
Say what is damaged if there is a label option; it goes to a different grade.

What not to do

Never put textiles in the kerbside recycling bin — they wind around sorting shafts and stop the line.
Never put wet or mouldy fabric in a clothing bank; it ruins everything it touches.

Kerbside collection rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always win over general guidance. The reasoning above is what transfers — if your service differs, it will usually be for a reason described here.

Other things that go to donate or reuse

Furniture (sofas, wardrobes, tables) Reuse first — charities collect free. Otherwise a bulky collection or the household waste centre.
Shoes and trainers Pair them, tie them together, and put them in a shoe or textile bank. Never in the bin.
Duvets and pillows Not the textile bank. Animal shelters take clean ones; otherwise household waste centre or general waste.
Books Charity shop, book bank or a street library. Paperbacks are recyclable as paper; hardbacks need the boards removing.
CDs, DVDs and cases Not kerbside recyclable. Donate playable discs; the polycarbonate needs a specialist and the cases are usually accepted separately.
Spectacles Opticians and charity collection boxes. Frames are reused, not shredded.
Wine corks Natural cork composts and there are collection schemes for it. Plastic "corks" go in general waste.

Common questions

Where do Clothes and textiles go?: Wearable: charity shop or clothing bank. Worn out: still the textile bank — damaged clothes are sorted for fibre and rag, not landfill.
What happens if you put Clothes and textiles in the wrong bin?: Never put textiles in the kerbside recycling bin — they wind around sorting shafts and stop the line. Never put wet or mouldy fabric in a clothing bank; it ruins everything it touches.

Where do Furniture (sofas, wardrobes, tables) go? Reuse first — charities collect free. Otherwise a bulky collection or the household waste centre.
Where do Shoes and trainers go? Pair them, tie them together, and put them in a shoe or textile bank. Never in the bin.
Where do Duvets and pillows go? Not the textile bank. Animal shelters take clean ones; otherwise household waste centre or general waste.
Where do Books go? Charity shop, book bank or a street library. Paperbacks are recyclable as paper; hardbacks need the boards removing.
Where do CDs, DVDs and cases go? Not kerbside recyclable. Donate playable discs; the polycarbonate needs a specialist and the cases are usually accepted separately.
Where do Spectacles go? Opticians and charity collection boxes. Frames are reused, not shredded.
Where do Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
Where do Lithium-ion batteries go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
Where do Vapes and disposable e-cigarettes go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
Where do Medicines and tablets go? Pharmacy
Where do Pizza boxes go? Kerbside recycling bin
Where do Leftover wet paint go? Household waste recycling centre

Sources

US Environmental Protection Agency — EPA (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked