Where Old Clothes and Linens Get a Second Life in Lake County
When we started clearing out the family estate, the sheer volume of textiles caught us off guard. Bags upon bags of old clothes, faded linens, and worn-out towels filled the hallway. We care about reducing waste and protecting natural resources, so tossing everything wasn't an option. We needed a better plan.
We're not alone in facing this challenge. The U.S. EPA estimates the average person throws away 70 pounds of clothing each year, and nearly 85% of all textiles end up in landfills. In Lake County, Illinois, where we're located, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) offers a practical solution through their textile recycling program.
SWALCO accepts everything from gently used items to worn, torn, and stained textiles. The program partners with Chicago Textile Recycling to ensure that nearly 95% of collected materials are repurposed or recycled. Collection bins are located at 94 sites throughout the region, many available 24/7. We dropped several bags at the Volo Village Hall bin, but other convenient locations include the Grayslake Recycling Center, Lake Zurich Public Works, and Highland Park Recycling Center.
Our sorting process turned out to be straightforward:
- New or gently used items get donated and are tax-deductible (just ask for a receipt at drop-off).
- Worn or stained items get recycled or upcycled. Even cleaning rags qualify, provided they're not contaminated with hazardous chemicals.
- Rags contaminated with paint, solvents, or other hazardous materials must be disposed of through SWALCO's household chemical waste collection program.
For clothing and household linens still in good condition, we donated to Goodwill. But what about clean towels and blankets that have seen better days? Animal shelters can use them, though some have size restrictions. Orphans of the Storm in Riverwoods accepts bath towels (not smaller sizes or bed sheets) for their kennels. Fremont Township also collects linens on their front porch for local shelters and rescues. Pillows are generally not accepted for donation, but decorative cushions are.
The estate cleanout taught us that responsible disposal doesn't have to be complicated; it just takes a bit of time to sort everything. Between SWALCO's textile bins, Goodwill, and local animal shelters, Lake County residents have accessible options to give old fabrics a second life.
- For a complete list of textile drop-off locations in Lake County, visit swalco.org textile recycle program
- To confirm current donation needs at Orphans of the Storm, check the orphansofthestorm.org wishlist
- For the Fremont Township drop-off location, visit FremontTownship.com recycle
Not in Lake County?
Most communities throughout the U.S. and Canada offer similar textile recycling programs. Check with your local solid waste management agency, county recycling center, or municipal website. Search for "textile recycling" plus your city or county name. Major retailers like H&M, Eileen Fisher, Patagonia, and The North Face also accept textiles for recycling. For animal shelter donations, call local shelters directly to ask about current linen needs.
Know of any other ideas? Feel free to comment below and help others make a difference.