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Americans throw away a lot of clothing. Palo Alto is no exception. Old T-shirts, towels, sheets, socks and shoes all reach the end of their life eventually. The tricky part is that none of them belong in the weekly carts. Fabric can wrap around the spinning screens at recycling plants and does not belong in the compost process. Most textiles that end up in the black cart go to a landfill.
The better routes are wear it longer, repair it, pass it on and, for what is truly worn out, send it to a textile recycler. This guide covers each step, the free textile pickup on Clean Up Day and the state law that will build a statewide collection system over the next few years. For the cart system as a whole, see our trash and recycling guide.
Why textiles stay out of the carts
The GreenWaste of Palo Alto material guide lists what each cart takes. Clothing, shoes and linens are not on the blue cart or green cart lists. The city's curbside page does not mention textiles at all. On the Clean Up Day garbage list, GreenWaste does name pillows, a sign that stuffed items with no reuse value are treated as trash.
One small exception: animal fur and human hair are on the compost list. Rags used with paint thinner, solvents or oil are a separate problem. Ask Zero Waste Palo Alto before disposing of them. Our household hazardous waste guide explains the station rules.
Free textile pickup on Clean Up Day
Single-family homes get two pre-scheduled Clean Up Days a year. Clothing is one of the categories GreenWaste collects at the curb. From GreenWaste's Clean Up Day page:
- Up to 3 bags or boxes of clothing and textiles per Clean Up Day.
- Each bag or box up to 32 gallons and under 60 pounds.
- Items must be clean and dry.
- Use clear plastic bags or cardboard boxes labeled "clothing".
- Bag textiles well if rain is in the forecast.
Examples GreenWaste gives are clothing, towels, sheets and fabric. Its reuse guidelines say clothing and textiles are among the items it passes to reuse partners. The city describes the program as having a reuse emphasis, with GreenWaste working with nonprofits to rehome furniture and textiles in good condition. Look up your dates with your utility account number, as our bulky item pickup guide explains. Apartment residents should ask the property manager about the complex's Clean Up Day.
Quick guide by item
| Item | Best route |
|---|---|
| Wearable clothing and shoes | Donate, resell or swap |
| Torn or stained clothing | Charity textile recycling, Clean Up Day or home rags |
| Towels, sheets and fabric scraps | Clean Up Day textiles, or donate if in good shape |
| Garments that need a small fix | Repair Café or a tailor |
| Pillows | Clean Up Day garbage bag or the black cart |
| Rags used with chemicals | Ask Zero Waste Palo Alto first |
Donating wearable clothing
Clothing in good shape is worth far more on a person than in a recycling bale. GreenWaste's material guide lists clothing and shoes, linens, jewelry and eyeglasses among items commonly accepted by local donation groups. Options include:
- Charity thrift stores. Our thrift store guide covers the charity shops near Palo Alto and how to donate well.
- Consignment and resale. Better pieces can earn you something back. See our vintage and consignment guide.
- Shelters and service groups. Some take specific items such as coats, new socks and underwear. Our homelessness services guide lists the main local providers. Call first, since needs change with the season.
- Swaps. The city and GreenWaste have run costume swaps at the Museum of American Heritage, including a Scare Faire and Halloween costume swap in October 2025. Watch the city's zero waste events calendar for the next one.
- Neighbors. Buy-nothing and free-cycling groups move kids' clothes and outerwear quickly.
Before donating, wash and dry everything, pair shoes with a rubber band or string and check pockets. Wet fabric can mold and spoil a whole bag.
Worn-out, torn and stained items
Many people throw away torn clothes because they think charities will not want them. The city's zero waste FAQ says otherwise: Goodwill and the Salvation Army both accept unusable clothing, such as torn or stained items. They sell what they cannot put on the rack to cloth recyclers, who turn it into rags and other products.
A few tips for sending worn items this way:
- Keep worn-out items in their own bag and label it as textile recycling.
- Make sure everything is dry. Wet fabric molds and contaminates the rest.
- Check the charity's own site or call the store for current donation hours before you go.
At home, worn cotton makes good cleaning rags. GreenWaste's summer 2025 newsletter suggests cutting old T-shirts and socks into cleaning cloths or mop pads instead of buying paper towels.
Repair and alteration
A loose hem, a broken zipper or a missing button is often the only thing between a garment and the donation bag. The volunteer Repair Café, held several times a year at the Museum of American Heritage, has sewing volunteers who fix clothing for free. The next Palo Alto session is Sunday, November 8, 2026. Our repair and reuse guide has the details. For paid work, our dry cleaning and tailoring guide lists local tailors.
California's new textile law
In 2024 California passed the Responsible Textile Recovery Act, widely described as the first state law of its kind. It makes the apparel and textile industry responsible for collecting, repairing, reusing and recycling its products. CalRecycle's textile stewardship page lays out the timeline:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | CalRecycle approved Landbell USA as the producer responsibility organization |
| July 1, 2026 | All producers of covered products had to join Landbell USA |
| November 12, 2026 | Informal CalRecycle workshop on regulation concepts |
| March 2027 | Landbell USA submits its initial needs assessment |
| No earlier than July 1, 2028 | State regulations take effect |
| July 2030 | The organization must have an approved plan |
| 2031 | The plan must be fully in place |
Covered products include clothing and accessories, towels, bedding, blankets, linens, pillows, curtains, tablecloths and napkins. CalRecycle's page does not list footwear, so do not count on shoes being part of the program. For now, nothing changes at the curb. Over the next several years the law should bring free drop-off sites and repair and reuse programs paid for by producers.
Buying with the end in mind
The cheapest textile to dispose of is the one you never buy. A few habits help. Choose durable fabrics. Buy secondhand for kids who outgrow clothes in months. Take care of what you own, from washing in cold water to fixing small tears early. Our guide to kids and toys shopping includes resale options. For the wider picture, see our zero waste guide.
Good to know
- No clothing, shoes or linens in the blue or green cart.
- Clean Up Day takes up to 3 bags or boxes of textiles, clean, dry and labeled "clothing".
- Torn and stained clothes can go to charities that sell to textile recyclers.
- Free clothing repair at the Repair Café; next Palo Alto date November 8, 2026.
- The state textile program will not be fully running until 2031.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put old clothes in the recycling cart in Palo Alto?
No. Clothing, shoes and linens are not on the list for the blue recycling cart or the green compost cart. They tangle in sorting machines. Donate wearable items, set textiles out on your Clean Up Day or take worn items to a charity that sells them to textile recyclers.
How do I put out clothing on Clean Up Day in Palo Alto?
You can set out up to 3 bags or boxes of clothing and textiles, each up to 32 gallons and under 60 pounds. Items must be clean and dry. Use clear plastic bags or cardboard boxes labeled clothing and bag them well if rain is expected.
Where can I donate torn or stained clothes near Palo Alto?
The city's zero waste FAQ says Goodwill and the Salvation Army both accept unusable clothing such as torn or stained items. They sell what they cannot resell to cloth recyclers, who turn it into rags. Keep worn items separate and dry and tell staff they are for recycling.
Does Palo Alto recycle shoes?
Shoes are not accepted in any Palo Alto cart. GreenWaste's donation list includes clothing and shoes, so wearable pairs can go to a charity or thrift store. For worn-out shoes, check whether the brand or a charity runs a take-back program. California's new textile law does not clearly list footwear among covered products.
What is California's Responsible Textile Recovery Act?
It is a state law that makes clothing and textile producers responsible for collecting, repairing, reusing and recycling their products. CalRecycle approved Landbell USA as the producer responsibility organization in March 2026. Producers had to join by July 1, 2026. The full collection program is not due until 2031.