Virtually any textile can be reused, repurposed, or recycled if clean and dry. Even worn, torn, and stained items have recovery value, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection prohibits throwing away textiles in the trash.

There are many ways to recycle textiles and the Town of Natick partners with Bay State Textiles and Simple Recycling to offer free drop-off and curbside collection options. Residents are also encouraged to participate in textile collection drives organized by local nonprofits.

Drop Off Textile Collection Boxes

Textile collection boxes are available in the parking lot of every Natick Public School and at the Recycling Center. The majority of these boxes are managed by Baystate Textiles, which pays Natick Public Schools for every ton collected. Any clothing items, shoes, or linens may be placed in these boxes as long as they are bagged and are not wet, moldy or contaminated with oil or hazardous substances. Home goods cannot be placed in the textile collection boxes.

Curbside Textile Collection

Simple Recycling provides curbside textile collection to Natick residents. In June 2023, the program changed from collecting pink bags on residents' recycling day to a "schedule ahead" collection. Here's how to participate:

Step 1: Schedule your free pickup at SimpleRecycling.com

Step 2: Leave allowable items at your door by 7:30 AM in a box or a bag (these no longer need to be in a pink bag)

Step 3: Simple Recycling will pick them up. If the items are not out when they visit, Simple Recycling will leave a door hanger letting them know they stopped by.

If your bags are not picked up on your scheduled recycling day, contact Simple Recycling via www.SimpleRecycling.com, 866.835.5068 or info@simplerecycling.com. Natick’s Department of Public Works is not responsible for collecting the pink Simple Recycling bags.