GSIA’s FNSB Recycling (and reuse) Guide

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Socks

Clothing
Reuse

Accepted at 6 locations

Socks are textile items made from materials like cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, and spandex that can be recycled even when worn, stained, or missing a match.

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Material Details

Also known as: Textiles

Parent material: Textiles

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
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
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
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
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
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

About Socks

What it is

Socks are frequently made from a blend of materials including cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, and spandex, which makes them a unique recycling challenge. In 2018, landfills received 11.3 million tons of textile waste in the United States, representing 7.7 percent of all municipal solid waste landfilled. It is estimated that 95% of all used clothing, footwear, and other household textiles can be reused or recycled.

How it’s recycled

Mechanical recycling involves shredding textiles into fibers that can be used to create new products, such as insulation, carpets, or filling for furniture. Textiles are sorted by color and material type and shredded to become fiberfill or stuffing, while some textiles are cut down and sold as rags. Chemical recycling breaks down the fibers into their basic chemical components, which can then be used to manufacture new materials, and while more advanced, it offers the potential to recycle more complex fiber blends.

How to prepare it

As long as the items are clean, dry and free of oil/grease and odors (not stained with solvents such as gasoline) many textiles can be dropped off at collection locations to be recycled.

Common mistakes

Traditional municipal recycling programs are typically not equipped to handle textiles, especially worn-out socks. Almost all textile recycling programs refuse wet garments because of inevitable mildew buildup, and if a piece of clothing gets wet in the shipping or sorting process, it's then headed for the landfill. Many clothes like socks with rips or holes are disposed of rather than donated, but with a little DIY or expert skill, there could be many more wears left.

Environmental impact

The recycling rate for all textiles was 14.7 percent in 2018, with the recycling rate for textiles in clothing and footwear at 13 percent. Textiles in landfills contribute to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, and they also take up valuable landfill space. Textiles can take up to 200+ years to decompose in landfills.

Did you know?

Shoddy is made from shredded fibers and used for insulation and stuffing, transforming old socks into materials that keep homes warm.

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See all locations46
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 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

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

Eyeglass recycling and vision assistance

Last updated on June 15, 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

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: 911 Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 24/7

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

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

Last updated on June 5, 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)

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 a service for FNSB residents and businesses / organizations only. Unlike the landfill, there is no provision for "out of borough" collection. Residents and businesses…

Last updated on June 15, 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 16, 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

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 15, 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

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: 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 15, 2026 by Green Star GM


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