Message from the Board of Health Regarding Textile Recycling

Effective November 1, 2022, Massachusetts General Law bans the disposal of textiles through trash disposal and mandates recycling. Prior to the ban 230,000 tons of textiles were annually disposed of in Massachusetts through the trash system. Textiles, such as clothing, towels, sheets, and more, can be reused and re-purposed several times throughout their useful lives. For many textiles that cannot be reused for their original purpose, recycling is straightforward: Unwearable cotton shirts and torn bath towels can turn into wiping cloths. Recycled denim makes great housing insulation.

Certain textiles, such as those comprised of multiple materials, however, may require additional research to identify a recycling or reuse outlet. The RecyclingWorks hotline can help you with that! Contact 888-254-5525 or Info@RecyclingWorksMA.com for assistance. Massachusetts has also launched programs with many communities to ensure recycling bins are locally available for both textiles and shoes. This includes partnerships with local Boards of Health, local non-profits, and other partners.