Massachusetts banned the disposal of textiles in the trash beginning November 1, 2022. It’s best to donate items in excellent reusable condition to local charities, where they will go directly to help those in need. See a listing of nonprofits that accept clothing below.
For those in poorer condition or when you are not able to separate items, the City of Newton partners with Helpsy to provide Newton residents with textile collection in multiple ways. Helpsy will resell to thrift stores or turn lower grade items into rags and fill. Items can be in any condition, but must be clean and dry. Residents can:
- bring textiles to the collection bins at the Resource Recovery Center (115 Rumford Avenue),
- place items into blue collection bins in front of most Newton schools,
- or make an appointment for curbside collection.
Review the list of accepted items for textile collection. UNACCEPTABLE are items that are wet or moldy, or contaminated with oil or hazardous substances.
Do not place clothing and other textiles in your curbside recycling bin. Items will get tangled in recycling machinery and can cause injury to workers.
Nonprofits that Accept Clothing for Reuse
Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory (281 Newtonville Ave., Newton) takes new and gently-used children’s items such as clothing, shoes, coats, and books for children from birth through age 12. Items should not be ripped, stained, broken, or missing pieces. Accepted Items:
- Clothing and coats (youth sizes 0–20 and adult sizes small & medium)
- New socks and underwear
- New Pajamas
- Shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals (infant/child sizes 5–13 and adult sizes 1–10)
- Books, especially baby board books
- New arts and crafts/school supplies
- Unopened diapers and training pants
- New hygiene items
Click here for a more detailed list of their donation guidelines. When dropping off donations at The Giving Factory, please place your items into the unlocked PACKRAT storage containers in the front parking lot.
Circle of Hope (1329 Highland Ave. Needham) accepts gently used items in excellent condition. They accept up to 3 paper grocery bags or white kitchen trash bags of used clothing per appointment. No black trash bags. Schedule a drop off HERE. Accepted Items:
- T-shirts (long and short sleeve)
- Sweaters
- Flannel shirts
- Sweatpants and sweatshirts
- Jackets/coats (fall/winter/spring)
- Winter boots (fall/winter)
- Sneakers
- Shorts (spring/summer)
- Leggings, jeans, khakis
- Athletic wear including sports bras
- Baby clothes (sleepers, onesies, pants, shirts)
- Maternity clothes
More Than Words maintains a bin at the Newton Resource Recycling Center (115 Rumford Ave.) This nonprofit organization empowers youth who are in the foster care system, court-involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. More Than Words accepts donations of books, gently used clothing and shoes, CD/DVDs, video games, and records to sell in their stores and on their website.
Locate other local organizations that accept donations for use by those in need (courtesy of Cradles to Crayons).