How to Recycle Clothing Hangers | The ReCollective
ReCo Pick Member Guide

How to Recycle Clothing Hangers

Learn how to recycle clothing hangers, including plastic, metal, and wooden hangers, through The ReCollective’s ReCo Pick and mailback programs.

Plastic, metal, and wooden clothing hangers for reuse and recycling

Give usable hangers another life

Clothing hangers are difficult to process through most curbside recycling programs because of their shape and the mix of materials used to make them. Do not place hangers in your curbside recycling bin unless your local program specifically accepts them.

The ReCollective collects usable plastic, metal, and wooden hangers during designated ReCo Pick collections so they can be sorted for community reuse or responsible recycling.

What to include

Accepted Clothing Hangers

Hangers must be usable, unbroken, and neatly stacked before collection.

Accepted

  • Plastic clothing hangers
  • Metal clothing hangers
  • Wooden clothing hangers
  • Shirt hangers
  • Pants and skirt hangers
  • Usable hangers with clips or nonslip sections

Please Leave Out

  • Broken, cracked, or sharply bent hangers
  • Hangers with exposed sharp edges
  • Loose hanger pieces or detached hooks
  • Hangers placed inside the canvas ReCo Pick bag
  • Bags larger than 13 gallons
Where they go

Use Your Own Bag, Not the ReCo Pick Bag

Stack hangers neatly in your own bag that is 13 gallons or smaller. Place the bag next to your black waterproof collection bag on pickup day.

Keep hangers separate: do not place clothing hangers inside the canvas ReCo Pick bag or loose inside the black waterproof collection bag.
Before your pickup

How to Prepare Clothing Hangers

Check Their Condition

Include only usable, unbroken hangers. Leave out hangers with cracks, sharp edges, or missing pieces.

Stack Them Neatly

Face the hangers in the same direction and nest them together so they remain compact and easier to handle.

Use a Separate Bag

Place the stacked hangers in your own bag that is 13 gallons or smaller and set it next to the black waterproof bag.

Materials being sorted at The ReCollective warehouse in Durham
After collection

What Happens to the Hangers?

Clothing hangers return to The ReCollective’s Durham warehouse, where they are sorted by condition and material for reuse or recycling.

1

Inspect: The team removes damaged hangers and confirms that the remaining hangers are suitable for reuse.

2

Sort: Usable plastic, metal, and wooden hangers are organized for community partners.

3

Reuse or recycle: Usable hangers are redistributed, while metal hangers that cannot be reused may be recycled as scrap metal.

Community reuse: The ReCollective works with Durham Rescue Mission and other local partners to help keep usable clothing hangers in circulation.

ReCo Pick Reminders

Standard monthly members Set out clothing hangers only during a month when Clothing Hangers are featured as a ReCo Pick.
Almost Anything Plan members You may set out approved clothing hangers during any monthly pickup using the preparation instructions on this page.
Use your own bag Place neatly stacked hangers in a separate bag that is 13 gallons or smaller, not inside the ReCo Pick bag.
Return all canvas bags Return all of your canvas bags each time you set out recycling so the team can provide a complete replacement kit.
Related information

Other Reuse & Recycling Guides

Clothing and textile recycling guide Recycling guide Clothing & Textiles View guide Toy recycling and reuse guide Reuse guide Toys View guide Used kitchenware recycling and reuse guide Reuse guide Used Kitchenware View guide Art and office supplies recycling and reuse guide Reuse guide Art & Office Supplies View guide
Service information

Local Pickup & Mailback

City page Durham View local information City page Raleigh View local information City page Cary View local information City page Chapel Hill & Carrboro View local information Mailback Almost Anything Bag Clothing hangers accepted