Medical & Pharmaceuticals recycling
How to Recycle Medical Textiles and Gowns
Single-use medical garments and textiles, including surgical and patient gowns, drapes, caps, and shoe covers. This is largely a disposal, not a recycling, material stream for households.
Special handlingNo consumer recycling valueLast reviewed July 30, 2026
Quick answer
Clean, unused disposable gowns, drapes, and medical textiles from home care usually go in regular household trash; there's no widespread consumer recycling program for this material. Anything visibly contaminated with blood or bodily fluid should stay out of recycling, and in bulk may need to follow your state's medical waste guidance.
- Recycling route
- Special handling
- Typical value
- No consumer recycling value
How to Prepare
- 1Confirm the item has no visible blood or bodily fluid contamination
- 2Bag clean, home-generated textile waste with regular household trash
- 3