WasteFreeSD.org connects you to everywhere you can donate or recycle textiles in San Diego County — from clothes in good condition, to old socks, to sleeping bags
SAN DIEGO — Summer sales are launching this week, and as you think about shopping and cleaning out your closet for new items, there are steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact.
- Pause. When you see something you like, try waiting 30 days before buying. Avoiding impulse purchases helps ensure you are only buying items you will love and use.
- Repair. Before you replace a worn item, consider patching, embroidering, or dyeing it to give it a new life.
- Swap. If you’re cleaning out your closet to make room for new items, try getting your clothes straight into the hands of someone else on sites like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, a local Buy Nothing group or an in-person clothing swap.
- Donate. Use WasteFreeSD.org to find a thrift store or local charity that accepts donations of clothes in good condition.
- Recycle. If your clothing or textiles are beyond repair, use WasteFreeSD.org to find a facility that will recycle them into something new like insulation, carpet or even new thread.
Textile waste is a significant environmental issue, with the UN Environment Programme reporting that:
- Each year, 92 million tons of textile waste is produced globally.
- Textile production doubled from 2000 to 2015, while the duration of garment use decreased by 36 percent.
- Clothing and textiles make up 11 percent of all plastic waste.
- In 2023, only 8 percent of textile fibers were made from recycled sources.
San Diegans can protect our community and planet by reducing consumption and making sure they handle old textiles responsibly.
“We recognize that donating and recycling textiles keeps valuable materials out of our landfills and conserves resources for future generations,” says Steve Weihe, Recycling Specialist at the County. “Together with our community, we can turn unwanted clothing into opportunities for both people and the planet.”
WasteFreeSD.org is a one-stop resource that offers information on how to keep household items, recyclables and household hazardous waste out of our crowded landfills. I Love A Clean San Diego maintains information on over 1,700 centers to help residents and businesses find hassle-free solutions.
In 2024, the Waste Free SD website and hotline received nearly 50,000 web searches and calls from San Diegans looking to dispose of their waste responsibly.
San Diegans can go to WasteFreeSD.org or call the bilingual hotline from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to get connected to local resources that reduce waste.
Hotline
Incorporated San Diego residents: 1-800-237-BLUE (1-800-237-2583)
Unincorporated San Diego County residents: 1-877-R-1-EARTH (1-877-713-2784)
About I Love A Clean San Diego
I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environmental nonprofit supporting residents and businesses of San Diego County. ILACSD was founded in 1954 as the San Diego War Against Litter Committee (WALC), in the 1970s, “I Love A Clean San Diego” became the slogan for the organization’s anti-litter campaign, and in 1980, it became the organization’s name. Over the last seven decades, ILACSD has since evolved into the nonprofit it is today, providing programs that go far beyond litter cleanups and serve as environmental catalysts. Our programs inspire and empower San Diegans to be environmental and waste-free living leaders in their communities. For more information or to volunteer, visit CleanSD.org or call (619) 291-0103.
