A good wardrobe cull often leaves a pile of clothes, shoes and bedding you no longer need. After you’ve made the most out of your clothes, the next step is deciding what to do with them.
Instead of adding to the 23kg of clothing the average Australian sends to landfill each year, there are simple ways to pass on quality items or recycle worn-out fabrics.
Swap, sell and donate
We all move on from clothes and shoes but pieces in good condition deserve a second life – not the bin. If your items are clean, undamaged and the kind you’d happily hand to a friend, here are some easy ways to keep them in circulation.
- Swap with others: Join the Darlinghurst clothes swap on Saturday 20 September. Bring up to 5 quality items and exchange them for pre-loved finds from fellow swappers. It’s free for City of Sydney residents, but places are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot.
- Sell online: Turn your unwanted items into someone else’s treasure and earn a little back – available through platforms like SwapUp, The Turn, Depop, Swop and The Closet. You can also use Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or eBay for quick local sales and Freecycle is great for giving things away. Check out our guide to selling stuff online fast.
- Donate thoughtfully: If swapping or selling isn’t right for you and you live in the City of Sydney’s area, book a free doorstep recycling collection. We’ll collect items from your doorstep or apartment lobby to be donated to charity or reused in communities that need them most. You can also check with your local charity shop to see what they need. Always donate items that are clean and in good condition – giving damaged clothing puts pressure and costs back on charities.
By swapping, selling or donating, you’re not just clearing space in your wardrobe, you’re supporting more circular and sustainable fashion.
Beyond repair? Try recycling
Some pieces reach a point where they can’t be worn, swapped or donated – but they still don’t belong in the bin. For worn-out, stained or torn items, here are your responsible recycling options.
- Recycling drop-offs: City of Sydney residents can bring worn-out clothes, shoes and bedding to the Ultimo recycling pop-up on Tuesdays, 2pm to 7pm, or at quarterly Recycle It Saturday events in Alexandria. Textiles are turned into useful products such as yarn, bags, socks, felts, underlay, insulation, furniture filler and rugs.
- Book a collection from home: If you live in our local area and can’t make a drop-off, book a free doorstep recycling collection instead. We accept clothes in good and bad condition and help reuse or recycle them. Brands such as RCYCL, After and Textile Recyclers Group let you book a recycling collection for a fee.
- Brand take-back schemes: Some retailers, including H&M and Zara, accept any brand of clothing for recycling in their stores. Find other recycling programs on Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You website. For household textiles such as quilt covers and towels, Sheridan accepts any brands for recycling in stores. Consider checking if the brand you purchased from has an end-of-life program for their items.
Published 8 September 2025
