How & Where to Recycle Worn, Stained & Damaged Old Baby & Kids Clothes in Australia

by Daisy Chain Clothing September 02, 2025

As parents, we know how quickly little ones go through clothes. One minute they’re swimming in an adorable onesie, the next it’s stretched, stained, or full of holes. While good-quality preloved clothing can be passed on, donated, or resold, sometimes baby and kids’ clothes are simply too worn or damaged to be reused.

So what do you do with those items that are beyond saving? The good news is – in Australia, there are plenty of ways to responsibly recycle old baby and kids’ clothes instead of sending them to landfill.

Let’s explore how and where you can recycle worn, stained, and damaged clothing.

1. Textile Recycling Programs in Australia

If clothing is too stained, ripped, or damaged for resale or donation, textile recycling is the best option. These services re-purpose old clothes into new materials, such as insulation, rags, or stuffing.

Options include:

Upparel (VIC & nationwide collection service): For a small fee, you can book a collection box and send in your damaged clothing. They recycle and repurpose textiles in Australia.
SCRgroup Clothing Hubs: Found in many shopping centres and council areas. Some bins accept damaged clothing and shoes for textile recycling – but check signage, as not all collections do.
Textile Recyclers Australia: Allow you to book a pick-up for unwanted textiles from your home. They focus on turning unusable garments into raw materials for new products, giving your old clothes a second life in innovative ways.

2. Council Recycling Programs

Some local councils in Australia have textile recycling drop-offs as part of their sustainability initiatives. For example:

City of Sydney runs regular “Recycling Drop-Off” days, which accept old textiles.
Brisbane City Council offers recycling centres where clothing and textiles can be dropped off.
Melbourne councils like Moreland and Darebin have community recycling stations for worn-out clothes.

Tip: Check your local council’s website or call their recycling hotline to find out what’s available in your area.

3. Retail Take-Back Schemes

A growing number of big retailers in Australia run in-store recycling programs. While they may not be baby-specific, you can still recycle kids’ clothing that’s beyond repair.

H&M: Drop off a bag of old textiles (in any condition) at their stores.
Sheridan: Accepts old textiles (including sheets, clothing and baby clothes) for textile recovery.
UNIQLO: Collects worn-out UNIQLO items for reuse or recycling.

4. Upcycling at Home

If you’re crafty (or want to get the kids involved), worn and stained clothing can get a second life at home:

Cut t-shirts into strips to make yarn for weaving or crocheting
Use old baby onesies or pyjamas for rag rugs, quilt patches, or even soft toys.
Cut soft fabrics into cleaning cloths.
Transform socks with holes into DIY puppets for playtime.

This keeps textiles out of landfill and adds a fun creative project to your day.

5. What Not to Do

Don’t donate unwearable clothes to charities or op shops. These organisations are overwhelmed with unsuitable donations, and most damaged clothes still end up in landfill if placed in donation bins.
Don’t toss them in the red bin – textiles in landfill release methane and contribute to waste issues.

Making the Most of Every Piece

At Daisy Chain Clothing, we’re passionate about making every piece of clothing count. We specialise in giving quality preloved baby and kids’ clothing a second life through our online store – but we also encourage families to recycle responsibly when items can’t be reused.

By choosing recycling programs, local council drop-offs, or creative upcycling, you’re helping reduce textile waste in Australia and teaching your little ones about sustainability along the way.