What we accept
Clean and dry. Almost everything else.
Bincentives processes 1,000,000+ pounds of textiles every year. The rules below keep the load clean for resale, reuse, and recycling. When in doubt, just bag it: if a category does not work, we will sort it on the truck.
Placeholder Accepted items.
- Clothing, all sizes, any condition
- Pants, jeans, shorts, skirts
- Tops, sweaters, jackets, coats
- Shoes, paired, any condition
- Linens, towels, sheets, blankets
- Curtains, drapes, fabric remnants
- Stuffed animals, plush toys
- Belts, hats, scarves, gloves
- Handbags, backpacks, totes
- Costume jewelry, paired
Items we cannot process.
- Wet, moldy, or mildewed items
- Items contaminated with bodily fluids
- Carpet, large rugs, or padding
- Mattresses or large furniture
- Hazardous materials (paint, oil, chemicals)
- Single shoes (must be paired)
- Items containing asbestos or lead
- Loose stuffing, batting, or insulation
For these, check with your town's bulk waste schedule, a hazardous-waste day, or a specialty mattress recycler.
Quick answers.
- Do items need to be in good condition?
- No. Even torn, stained, or worn-out clothing is recyclable into industrial wipes, insulation, or fiber. The key is dry and clean of contamination.
- Why do shoes need to be paired?
- Single shoes can't be resold or reused. Tying laces or pairing inside a bag preserves their value through the sort.
- Can you take Halloween costumes or vintage clothing?
- Yes. All textile categories are accepted. Costumes, vintage, formalwear, athletic, kids: all good.
- What about items that smell?
- Mild odor is fine. Wet, moldy, or mildewed items contaminate the load and should go to municipal waste.
- Where can I drop off or schedule pickup?
- Drop off at any of 150+ Bincentives bins across MA and CT, or schedule a free home pickup across Worcester County.