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

by Daisy Chain Clothing September 30, 2025

As parents, we all know the drill — babies and kids are messy and incredibly active! By the time you’ve blinked, that once-brand-new romper is stained, stretched, or full of holes. While good-quality preloved pieces can be passed on, donated, or resold, what about the items that are simply beyond saving?

In Australia, it’s a big issue. Each year, over 800,000 tonnes of textiles are discarded, with only about 7% being properly recycled. The rest ends up in landfill, where it can take decades to break down, releasing harmful greenhouse gases along the way.

The good news? You don’t have to throw damaged kids’ clothes in the bin. Across Australia, there are plenty of options for recycling worn, stained and torn clothing, so every piece can have a new purpose.

Here’s your guide to how (and where) you can recycle baby and children’s clothing responsibly.

1. Nationwide Textile Recycling Programs

These services accept textiles in any condition (as long as they’re clean), repurposing them into insulation, industrial rags, or new fabrics.

Upparel (formerly Manrags): Book a collection box (starting at AU $35 for 10kg). Accepted items include baby and kids’ clothes, shoes, accessories, and linen. Bonus: you often receive store credits or vouchers in return.
Textile Recyclers Australia: Book a collection box (starting at AU $23 for 5kg).Offer home pick-up services in metro areas. Items are repurposed locally into yarn, padding, or wipes.
SCR group Clothing Hubs: Found in shopping centres, council areas, and schools nationwide. Accepts all textiles (including unwearable items).
Retailer Programs (Australia-wide):

H&M Garment Collecting Program – Drop off clothing from any brand, in any condition.
ZARA Recycling Bins – Accepts clothing, shoes, and linens (all brands).
UNIQLO All-Product Recycling – Accepts UNIQLO-branded items only.
Sheridan Recycling Program – Accepts towels, sheets, and clothing.

2. Council Recycling Programs

Many Australian councils now offer textile recycling through drop-off stations or community recycling events.

Sydney (City of Sydney): Recycling drop-off days accept textiles.
Brisbane: Brisbane City Council operates resource recovery centres with textile drop-offs.
Melbourne (Darebin, Moreland & other councils): Community recycling stations often accept worn-out clothes.

Tip: Always check your council’s website to see what’s accepted in your local area.

3. State & City Drop-Off Options

Here are some practical options for families across Australia:

NSW (Sydney & Blue Mountains):

SCRgroup hubs in shopping centres and council car parks.
Upcycle 4 Better textile bins at Blaxland & Katoomba.
Clothing Cycle Appeal pick-up service (book online).

VIC (Melbourne metro):

SCRgroup hubs across the city.
Partner bins via Upparel at stores like Universal Store and Kathmandu.
AS Colour / TRA bins in-store for unwearable textiles and linen.

QLD (Brisbane):

Council recovery centres.
SCRgroup hubs in shopping centres.

Nationwide: H&M, ZARA, UNIQLO, and Sheridan retail bins.

4. Upcycling at Home

Not all recycling has to be official! If you’re crafty (or your little ones love DIY), old clothing can find a new purpose at home:

Cut old onesies or singlets into cleaning cloths.
Use patterned fabrics for patchwork quilts or rag rugs.
Transform socks with holes into hand puppets for playtime.

It’s a fun way to extend the life of fabric while teaching kids about sustainability.

5. What Not to Do

Don’t donate damaged clothes to charity bins. Op shops rely on resellable clothing, and stained or ripped items often end up in landfill.
Don’t put textiles in your red bin. They’ll just contribute to landfill waste and harmful emissions.

Why It Matters

Australians send around 6 tonnes of clothing to landfill every 10 minutes.
Recycling even 1 kg of textiles can save up to 3–4 kg of CO₂ emissions.
By recycling your kids’ clothes — even the unwearable ones — you’re reducing landfill waste, cutting greenhouse gases, and showing your children how small actions make a big difference.

Making the Most of Every Piece

At Daisy Chain Clothing, we love helping families give quality preloved baby and children’s clothing a second life through resale. But when pieces are too damaged to wear again, these recycling and upcycling options are the best way to keep textiles out of landfill.

Every outfit has a story — and with recycling, it can have a future too. 🌱