Where Can I Recycle Pillows? Your Step-by-Step Guide

Do you have old, worn out pillows cluttering up your home? Are you wondering what to do with them besides sending them to the landfill? Properly disposing of pillows can be tricky since most curbside recycling programs do not accept them. However, there are eco-friendly options for recycling pillows or finding them new homes.

First, let's look at why pillow recycling matters. Pillows contain a variety of materials like polyester, foam, feathers, and cotton. When sent to landfills, these materials take years to decompose. Finding ways to recycle pillow components conserves resources and reduces waste. Beyond environmental impacts, recycling old pillows also allows materials to be reused, keeping stuffing and fabrics in circulation.

Can I Put Pillows in Curbside Recycling?

If you have curbside recycling pickup, you cannot toss old pillows directly into your curbside bin. Most municipal recycling programs are not equipped to process pillows. Here are some reasons why pillows get rejected from curbside recycling:

• They contain mixed materials like fabric, stuffing, foam, etc.
• Pillowcases may have zippers, buttons, or embellishments.
• Memory foam and polyester fill cannot be recycled through curbside programs.
• They get tangled in recycling machinery.

Before placing pillows in curbside bins, check with your local waste management department or municipality. Some towns offer occasional textile collection days but will not take pillows weekly. For consistent pillow recycling, you'll need to seek out other options covered next.

Locating a Textile Recycling Drop-Off Site

Though not accepted by curbside pickup, pillows can be recycled through textile recycling programs. Textile recycling facilities have commercial equipment to sort and process fabrics. Here are some ways to find a textile recycling site in your area that takes pillows:

• Use Earth911's recycling locator and filter by textile/fabric materials.
• Check national materials reuse databases like RecycleNation.
• Contact your municipal waste department or environmental agency.
• Search online directories of textile recyclers near you.

Once you locate a facility, call or check their website to verify they accept pillows. Some will even take pillows with zippers, buttons, or stains. Textile recycling gives pillow components a chance to be reused or broken down responsibly.

Donating Used Pillows

If your unwanted pillows are still in decent shape, consider donating them to charity. Some organizations that may accept donated pillows include:

• Homeless and domestic violence shelters
• Animal shelters and rescue centers
• Refugee resettlement agencies
• Church mission groups
• Youth camps or recreation centers

Before dropping pillows off for donation, call the organization to verify their specific needs and policies. Some tips for donating used pillows:

• Make sure pillows are clean without large stains.
• Wash and dry pillowcases before donating.
• Do not donate extremely flat or misshapen pillows.
• Remove pillows from the cases for donation.

If the pillows are usable and groups need them, donating is a great way to reduce waste while helping others.

Turn Old Pillows into Upcycled Crafts

For crafty reuse, consider upcycling worn out pillows into new creations. Pillow components like fabric, stuffing, buttons, and trim can be repurposed into all kinds of handmade crafts. Some fun upcycle projects include:

• Sewing pet beds or cat scratch pads
• Making floor cushions or pillow covers
• Stuffing sewn stuffed animals or dolls
• Cutting fabric into usable rags or quilting squares
• Braiding or tying fabric strips into rug tassels

Check Pinterest, YouTube, and DIY blogs for more recycled pillow craft ideas. Upcycling keeps creative materials out of landfills. Before cutting up pillows, inspect stuffing for clumping, odor, or stains.

Repurpose Pillow Stuffing for Insulation

For pillows filled with natural materials like cotton, wool, or feathers, the stuffing inside can be repurposed as insulation. This eco-friendly upcycle only works if the filler is in good condition. Tips for using pillow stuffing as insulation:

• Make sure filler meets fire code standards for your area.
• Consider hiring a professional to install for safety.
• Use in less dense places like under flooring or behind walls.
• Fluff and evenly distribute stuffing before installing.

Repurposed pillow insulation provides an alternative to man-made materials. Only use stuffing that is clean, dry, and free of odor or pests.

Recycle Pillow Components Separately

Some parts of a pillow may be recyclable through other programs if separated. Options include:

• Pillowcases can go in fabric recycling if they have no zippers.
• Foam can be recycled through some plastic recycling facilities.
• Natural fiber filling like wool can go into commercial composting.
• Fabric scraps work for rags, quilting, or textile recycling.

Call local recyclers to ask if they accept pillow components before dropping them off. Separating recyclable pieces keeps more waste out of the trash.

Start a Pillow Swap or Exchange

To find reuse for gently used pillows, consider organizing a pillow swap event. The concept involves trading clean, quality pillows among community members. Tips for coordinating a pillow swap:

• Partner with environmental or community groups.
• Advertise on social media, listservs, flyers.
• Collect and inspect donated pillows beforehand.
• Set ground rules for taking/leaving pillows.
• Have attendees bring gently used pillows to trade.

Pillow swaps redirect reusable materials locally. They raise awareness and build community around sustainable living.

Know When to Toss Out Worn Pillows

While the goal is to keep pillows out of landfills, at a certain point, they may need to be discarded. Signs a pillow has reached the end of its lifespan and should be trashed include:

• Visible yellow stains or cigarette smells that cannot be washed out
• Pronounced lumps, clumps, or flatten areas
• Pervasive musty, moldy, or mildew odors
• Excessive dust mites or allergens
• Torn seams, exposed stuffing

Avoid donating very worn pillows with cleanliness or odor issues. As a last resort if no reuse or recycling options exist in your area, expired pillows can go into the regular waste stream.

Hopefully this guide provided you with actionable tips for keeping old pillows out of the landfill. The key takeaways include checking for textile recycling programs, donating usable pillows, upcycling into crafts, and repurposing stuffing. With some creativity and effort, we can give pillows new life instead of contributing to waste buildup. What will you try first to recycle pillows in your home?