GSIA’s FNSB Recycling (and reuse) Guide

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Lynden Transportation / Alaska Marine Lines (AML) logo
Clothing

Clothing

Cloth / Textiles
Reuse

Accepted at 7 locations

Clothing is the main source of textiles in municipal solid waste, including shirts, pants, dresses, and other garments made from natural or synthetic fibers.

Source: epa.gov : Textiles: Material-Specific Data | US EPA (1)

Clothing Summary

Parent material: Textiles

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Accepted Locations

Closet Collections - Bentley Mall parking lot logo
Closet Collections - Bentley Mall parking lot
Reuse
ResidentialFREEBusiness
Address: 32 College Rd., Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7
DoDonate gently used clothing
Ensure items are clean, dry, and odor-free
Donate shoes and bedding/linens in separate bags
Call 907-451-7766 to schedule pickup of non-clothing items
Don'tNo wet or contaminated clothing
No badly damaged, worn out or ripped clothing
No non-clothing items in drop boxes
No hangers in donation bags
No items with food, oil or grease stains
Do not leave bags outside bins or collection points
See details ›

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Closet Collections - Fox General Store logo
Closet Collections - Fox General Store
Reuse
ResidentialFREEBusiness
Address: 2226 Old Steese Hwy N Y, Fairbanks, AK 99712 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7
DoDonate gently used clothing
Ensure items are clean, dry, and odor-free
Donate shoes and bedding/linens in separate bags
Call 907-451-7766 to schedule pickup of non-clothing items
Don'tNo wet or contaminated clothing
No badly damaged, worn out or ripped clothing
No non-clothing items in drop boxes
No hangers in donation bags
No items with food, oil or grease stains
Do not leave bags outside bins or collection points
See details ›

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Closet Collections - FRA parking lot logo
Closet Collections - FRA parking lot
Reuse
ResidentialFREEBusiness
Address: 805 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7
DoDonate gently used clothing
Ensure items are clean, dry, and odor-free
Donate shoes and bedding/linens in separate bags
Call 907-451-7766 to schedule pickup of non-clothing items
Don'tNo wet or contaminated clothing
No badly damaged, worn out or ripped clothing
No non-clothing items in drop boxes
No hangers in donation bags
No items with food, oil or grease stains
Do not leave bags outside bins or collection points
See details ›

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Closet Collections - North Pole Plaza logo
Closet Collections - North Pole Plaza
Reuse
ResidentialFREEBusiness
Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7
DoDonate gently used clothing
Ensure items are clean, dry, and odor-free
Donate shoes and bedding/linens in separate bags
Call 907-451-7766 to schedule pickup of non-clothing items
Don'tNo wet or contaminated clothing
No badly damaged, worn out or ripped clothing
No non-clothing items in drop boxes
No hangers in donation bags
No items with food, oil or grease stains
Do not leave bags outside bins or collection points
See details ›

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Closet Collections - UAF Student Recreation Center logo
Closet Collections - UAF Student Recreation Center
Reuse
ResidentialFREEBusiness
Address: 1910 Tanana Lp E, Fairbanks, AK 99775 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7
DoDonate gently used clothing
Ensure items are clean, dry, and odor-free
Donate shoes and bedding/linens in separate bags
Call 907-451-7766 to schedule pickup of non-clothing items
Don'tNo wet or contaminated clothing
No badly damaged, worn out or ripped clothing
No non-clothing items in drop boxes
No hangers in donation bags
No items with food, oil or grease stains
Do not leave bags outside bins or collection points
See details ›

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Golden Heart Thrift Coop logo
Golden Heart Thrift Coop
ResidentialBusiness
Address: Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
See details ›

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center logo
The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center
Reuse
ResidentialFREEBusiness
Address: 2222 S Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 5:30pm
DoDonate gently used clothing
Ensure items are clean, dry, and free of odors
Place clothing, shoes, and linens in separate bags
Remove all hangers before donating
Don'tNo wet or contaminated clothing
No items with food, oil, or grease stains
No clothing with odors
No hangers in donation bags
See details ›

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

About Clothing

What it is

Discarded clothing is the main source of textiles in municipal solid waste, though the category also includes footwear and accessories. In 2018, the U.S. generated 17 million tons of textiles, representing 5.8 percent of total municipal solid waste. The recycling rate for all textiles was 14.7 percent in 2018, with the recycling rate for clothing and footwear at 13 percent, meaning the vast majority still ends up in landfills or incinerators.(1, 3, 4, 6)

How it’s recycled

Mechanical recycling involves physically deconstructing fibers through methods such as shredding, crushing, or melting, before reprocessing fibers back into yarn. Garments that can't be resold are sorted by color and material, then shredded into fibers via machine and cleaned before being re-spun into yarn. Mechanical processing leads to weaker fibers and lower quality textiles that have limited use, such as furniture stuffing or insulation. Textile-to-textile recycling is the process of turning textile waste into new fibers.(2, 8, 9)

How to prepare it

Even if items are torn, stained, or missing buttons or have broken zippers, they can still be recycled as long as the items are clean, dry and free of oil/grease and odors. Clothing should be washed before it is donated, as many donation centers do not have the resources to wash donated clothing and cannot accept unwashed clothing due to hygiene restrictions.(7, 9, 10)

Common mistakes

Textiles will not be accepted by textile recovery outlets if they are wet, moldy, or contaminated with oil or other hazardous substances. Only items that are wet (mildewed) or have been used with a solvent-type liquid (gasoline, Goof Off, etc.) cannot be recycled. Textiles like clothing and shoes cannot be recycled if placed in your home recycling bin with bottles, jars, cans, and paper—textiles require separate recycling programs.(7, 9, 10)

Environmental impact

Textile waste harms the environment by releasing greenhouse gases when disposed of in landfills. If discarded in a landfill, textiles contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases such as methane as they degrade. Landfills received 11.3 million tons of textile waste in 2018, representing 7.7 percent of all municipal solid waste landfilled. EPA textile waste data estimates an over 50 percent increase between 2000 and 2018 in the U.S.(1, 3, 4, 6)

Did you know?

It is estimated that 95% of all used clothing, footwear, and other household textiles can be reused or recycled.(7, 9, 10)

Sources & additional reading

  1. Textiles: Material-Specific Data | US EPA epa.gov
  2. U.S. GAO - Science & Tech Spotlight: Textile Recycling Technologies gao.gov
  3. TEXTILE WASTE Federal Entities Should Collaborate on Reduction and gao.gov
  4. U.S. GAO - Textile Waste: Federal Entities Should Collaborate on Reduction and Recycling Efforts gao.gov
  5. Pretreatment methods for cotton textile waste fabric image-ppubs.uspto.gov
  6. GAO-25-107165, TEXTILE WASTE: Federal Entities Should Collaborate on Reduction and Recycling Efforts files.gao.gov
  7. Textile Reuse And Recycling - NYSDEC dec.ny.gov
  8. How Does Textile Recycling Work? - The Good Trade thegoodtrade.com
  9. Recycling Textiles - RecyclingWorks recyclingworksma.com
  10. Frequently Asked Questions - SMARTASN smartasn.org
  11. Textile Recycling: How to Recycle Clothing, Linens, and other Textiles | Rubicon rubicon.com
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See all locations52
Address: 2128 Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-3pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 975 Van Horn Road, Suite 6 Suite 6, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3598 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM-12:00 AM, Sun 10:00 AM-11:00 PM

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2925 Newby Rd, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›

The center processes approximately 40,000 pairs of eyeglasses per year and sends out approximately 30,000 to eye care missions. The Lions ship glasses recycled at their Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling Facility…

Last updated on June 25, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3027 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 AM-7:00 PM, Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›

Contact business for details about collection and dropoff options.

Last updated on May 31, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 401 E Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

To secure a precise quote for your exact material (whether it is structural steel, pipe, sheet metal, or non-ferrous scrap), it is best to contact them directly.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Chena Tool Library This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 1917 Lillian Street, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Wednesday 3pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm

A tool library is just what it sounds like: a place for community members to share resources, learn from each other, and check out tools for their own projects. The sharing economy…

Last updated on July 2, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 32 College Rd., Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2226 Old Steese Hwy N Y, Fairbanks, AK 99712 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 805 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Drop box is located near the Northwest corner of the parking lot just West of the welcome center.

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1910 Tanana Lp E, Fairbanks, AK 99775 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1650 Cowles St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 725 26th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701-2377 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sat 10:00am-2:00pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Fairbanks Rescue Mission This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 723 27th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 9am-5pm M-F

The Fairbanks Rescue Mission serves over 100 people a day and are in constant need of the following items: Men’s/ Women’s t-shirts & underwear (New) sm, med , l, xl Men’s Jeans…

Last updated on June 22, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 505 Old Steese Hwy, Ste 126, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF) This location loves volunteers!

Recycling FacilityFNSB residents and businesses only
See location details ›
Address: 1855 Marika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Closed Sunday-Monday

The FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF) is an FNSB Solid Waste provided service for FNSB residents and businesses / organizations only. The CRF is funded via the FNSB Enterprise Fund (landfill tipping…

Last updated on July 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 455 Sanduri Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm; closed New Year's, Thanksgiving, Christmas

The FNSB Sanitary Landfill also serves as the transfer sites for FNSB residents living inside the City of Fairbanks.

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 889 Holmes Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 5749 Old Chatanika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2395 Old Chena Ridge Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2535 Little Shot Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 Old Steese Highway N, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2180 Farmers Loop Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 284 Goldstream Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3485 Old Richardson Highway, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2740 Old Richardson Highway, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 901 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›

The mission of BRIDGE is to assist young adults with developmental disabilities in gaining skills, knowledge and appropriate behaviors to become successful individuals, citizens and workers in the community.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 930 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6:00 am - 11:00 pm

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Green Star of Interior Alaska This location loves volunteers!

NonprofitInterior Alaska
See location details ›
Address: 2134 Texaco Ave Suite A, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Office: Mon-Thu 9am-2pm; Electronics Sales: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 1pm-5pm

Home of the Green Star electronics recycling warehouse and our Reuse IT discounted refurbished electronics store, Repair IT desktop and laptop repair, Rebuild IT computer building classes and Reboot IT technology grants.

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1301 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm; Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm

Take compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) to staff at self-checkout lane if service desk attendants do not know where they belong.

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Literacy Council - Forget-me-not Books This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 2216 S. Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am-5:30pm

Last updated on July 2, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1550 Spur Ct., North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5pm

Formerly Chena Power / K & K Recycling

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 30 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 138 10th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 24/7

Last updated on June 22, 2026 by Green Star GM

The Folk School This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: Pioneer Park, Cabin 66, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: By appointment or class schedule

Last updated on July 1, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1651 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00am-7:00pm, Sat-Sun 10:00am-6:00pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2222 S Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 5:30pm

Acceptable items: Clean Clothing Linens and towels Clothing accessories: belts, ties, scarves, hats Small appliances Clean shoes, boots, sandals, etc. Vehicles with titles Toys, games, puzzles Eye glasses Books, DVD'S, VHS's, Cassette…

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM


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