Textile, Clothing, and Shoe Recycling
Bay State Textiles
Update 11.3.22: Textiles are now banned in waste receptacles bound for landfills or incinerators. All textiles must be recycled via appropriate channels. The university offers multiple textiles recycle receptacles on campus, as outlined below, and the university is actively working on adding additional bins to accommodate the increase in volume.
Bay State Textiles collects textiles on the Medford/Somerville campus. According to Bay State Textiles, over 21 billion pounds of textiles are thrown away in the United States each year, even though 95% of all textiles can be recycled or reused.
Bin Locations
- Lewis Hall overhang (outside)
- Houston Hall garage (outside)
- South Campus Garage(Outside)
- 98 Professors Row (outside, behind DTD and Chi-O)
- Facilities, 520 Boston Avenue (small collection location inside building)
For exact locations, please visit the Tufts Eco-Map and look for the pink shirt recycling icon:
What Can Be Recycled
Most types of footwear, clothing, textile-based accessories, linens, and stuffed animals are accepted in any condition. Bay State Textiles provides a full list of items that can be recycled.
What Cannot Be Recycled
- Mattresses
- Couch cushions
- Lawn furniture cushions
- Foam products (e.g., mattress pads)
- Carpet remnants
- Rugs
Second Chances
Second Chances is a Somerville-based clothing donation organization that partners with Tufts' Community Relations office. There are two Second Chances textile recycling bins on the Medford campus:
Bin Locations
- Tufts Administration Building parking lot, 169 Holland St
- 101 Talbot Ave
View a list of items accepted in these bins.
Why recycle textiles?
Textiles are a huge source of waste in landfills. By donating and recycling textiles, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve our clean environment. In addition, textile recycling drives the economy: it creates jobs, funds charitable initiatives, provides revenue for recycling agencies (so they can increase their recycling capacities!), promotes small business, and provides affordable clothing opportunities.
Provided by Office of Sustainability