How to Recycle Children's Clothing
Baby and children's apparel that is often outgrown before it is worn out. Prioritize reuse and consignment; recycling is the backup for stained or worn pieces.
Quick answer
Outgrown kids' clothes are in high demand at thrift, Once Upon a Child, Kid to Kid, shelters, and daycares. Donate clean, dry wearable pieces first. Stained but dry items can go to textile bins or Carter's TerraCycle in-store recycling where offered. Drawstrings are a new-product safety topic, not a universal thrift ban.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Typical value
- Consignment often pays per item for clean seasonal clothes; designer kids' brands bring more
- Donate / take-back
- Available
- 1Wash and dry thoroughly
- 2Check for recalls on branded children's products before resale
- 3Group by size and season when donating
- 4Secure loose buttons when easy; do not treat drawstrings as an automatic donation rejection
- 5Keep matching sets together
- Once Upon a Child
- Kid to Kid
- Daycare centers
- Family shelters
- Children's hospital closets
Focus on donation and consignment. Carter's partners with TerraCycle for an in-store / kids' clothing recycling brigade that may accept all brands; confirm participation at your store. Prefer the TerraCycle Carter's brigade URL over older Cause Collection paths that may have moved.
Children's clothing often has remaining wear when outgrown, so reuse multiplies useful life. Recycling follows the same EPA textile pathways as other apparel when donation is not possible.
- Pass to friends with younger children
- Kids' clothing swaps
- Church or community drives
Accepted
- Baby clothes (0-24 months)
- Toddler and children's clothing
- School uniforms
- Children's shoes and accessories in usable condition
- Costumes and dress-up clothes
- Children's outerwear and swimwear
Not Accepted
- Wet, mildewed, or moldy clothing
- Recalled children's items (do not resell or donate)
- Biohazard-soiled pieces
- Curbside recycling bins
Estimated value: Consignment often pays per item for clean seasonal clothes; designer kids' brands bring more
Donation
- Local daycare centers
- Family shelters
- Children's hospital clothing closets
- Once Upon a Child
- Kid to Kid
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
Are drawstring hoodies rejected by thrift stores?
Not universally. CPSC drawstring rules apply mainly to selling new children's outerwear. Thrift policies vary; ask locally rather than assuming a national ban.
Can stained kids' clothes be donated?
Light stains may be fine for family shelters. Consignment usually wants cleaner pieces. Dry stained items can go to textile bins or participating Carter's TerraCycle collections.
What sizes are needed most?
Basics in 0-6 months and current-season school sizes move quickly. Group donations by size to help staff.
Is Carter's Cause Collection still the right link?
Prefer the TerraCycle Carter's brigade page and confirm store participation. Brand 'Cause Collection' paths have moved over time.
- How to recycle Cotton Clothing & T-Shirts
- How to recycle Denim & Jeans
- How to recycle Athletic Shoes & Sneakers
- How to recycle Bed Linens & Towels
- How to recycle Wool Clothing & Blankets
- How to recycle Synthetic Fabrics & Activewear
- How to recycle Formal Wear & Suits
- How to recycle Leather Goods & Accessories
- How to recycle Curtains & Drapes
Recycling centers that accept Children's Clothing
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept children's clothing. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.