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Home Life in Ajax In The Neighbourhood Sustainability in Our Community

Textile Diversion

Ajax Council is committed to continuing the Town’s long history of environmental stewardship by implementing a Textile Diversion Program with the goal of drastically increasing our textile diversion rates across the community.

Our commitments are outlined in our Charter to Help Divert Textiles from Landfills.

Learn about Durham’s Long-term Waste-management Plan

What is Textile Diversion?

Textile Diversion means the shifting of materials away from disposal (landfill or incineration) by using waste management strategies.

Textile recycling is one strategy, it is a phrase used interchangeably with reuse, re-wear, donate, repurpose and finally breaking down of the textiles with fiber separation.

You can help reduce and divert textile waste by following the 5Rs re-think, reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover.

Rethink

The first step to waste diversion is to rethink daily choices to eliminate unnecessary purchases, limit necessary purchases, and switch to more eco-friendly alternatives. You can also choose to buy once loved clothing and other textiles.

Reduce

Limit the waste you produce. Choose high quality clothing made of natural fibers that will last a long time such as cotton, silk, wool, linen, and hemp.

Reuse

Switch from using disposable or single-use items to reusable ones or explore opportunities to repair and repurpose items. For example, you can choose to repair old clothing or sell gently-used, unwanted clothing using online platforms and apps.

Recycle

After following the first 3 Rs, you can recycle or donate items through proper methods.

Recover

Utilize waste to recover any resources possible.

Where Can I Donate Clothing and Textiles?

Registered Charities

Organization  Donation Links Thrift Store Location Home Pick-Up 
Cornerstone to Recovery Find a drop box - Schedule a pick-up
Diabetes Canada Find a drop box - Schedule a pick-up
Kidney Clothes Box Find a drop box - Schedule a pick-up
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy Find a drop box - Schedule a pick-up
The Salvation Army Find a drop box Find a location -

For-Profit Organizations

Business  Thrift Store Location
Couture Consignments Find a Location
Once Upon a Child Find a Location
Plato's Closet Find a Location
Play It Again Val Find a Location
Recycling Rewards Request Pick-up
Value Village Find a Location

Here are some tips to help you identify illegal textile collection bins:

  • Check for identification labels or markings on the bin. Legitimate donation bins should have a clear identification of the charity or organization that operates them. Illegal bins have no identification or contact information provided on the bin.
  • Look for signs of wear and tear or damage. Illegal donation bins are often poorly constructed out of cheap materials like plywood. They may show signs of wear and tear or damage.
  • Check the location of the bin. Illegal donation bins are often placed in areas that are not authorized for donation collection such as on the side of residential roads or vacant properties.
  • Ask the property owner if they have permitted the donation bin to be placed on their property. If the bin does not have permission, it is likely illegal.
Person wearing gloves sorting through piles of assorted folded clothes on a table.

Please report any illegal or unkempt collection bins to the Town of Ajax By Law Department:

What Textiles Can I Donate?

All charities, for-profit organizations, and recycling facilities will have different donation needs. Please check what textiles are accepted by specific organizations before donating.

  • Active wear
  • Bathrobes
  • Blazers
  • Blouses
  • Bras
  • Capri’s
  • Coats
  • Costumes
  • Dresses
  • Fur and leather coats
  • Jackets
  • Jeans
  • Jeggings
  • Lingerie
  • Overalls
  • Panty hose/nylons
  • Pants
  • Parkas
  • Robes
  • Shorts
  • Skirts
  • Sleepwear
  • Slips
  • Snowsuit
  • Snow pants
  • Socks
  • Sports jerseys
  • Suits
  • Sweaters
  • Swimsuits
  • Swim trunks
  • Tank top
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear
  • Uniforms
  • Vests

*You may donate clothing that is damaged, old, worn, torn, and/or stained, as well as unmatched/single socks.

**All donated clothing must be dry. No medical or dangerous liquids on them such as grease, oil, blood, vomit.

  • Bath mat
  • Bath towel
  • Beach towel
  • Bedding
  • Bibs
  • Blanket
  • Car seat cover
  • Comforter
  • Crib bumpers
  • Cushions
  • Curtains
  • Drapes
  • Duvet
  • Duvet Cover
  • Fabric Scraps
  • Face cloth
  • Flags
  • Furniture cover
  • Hand towel
  • Material
  • Mattress cover
  • Napkins (fabric)
  • Old rags
  • Oven mitts
  • Pillow case
  • Pillows
  • Place Mat
  • Quilts
  • Shower curtains (fabric)
  • Sleeping bag
  • Table cloth
  • Table runner
  • Throw rug
  • Window topper
  • Yarn

*You may donate textiles that are damaged, old, worn, torn, and/or stained.

**All donated textiles must be dry. No medical or dangerous liquids on them such as grease, oil, blood, vomit.

  • Boots
  • Cleats
  • Flip Flops
  • Flippers
  • Galoshes
  • Golf shoes
  • High heals
  • Ice skates
  • Loafers
  • Sandals
  • Shoes
  • Slides
  • Slip-ons
  • Slippers
  • Sneakers
  • Soccer shoes
  • Water socks

*You may donate footwear that is damaged, old, worn, torn, and/or stained, as well as unmatched/single socks and shoes.

**All donated footwear must be dry. No medical or dangerous liquids on them such as grease, oil, blood, vomit.

  • Backpacks
  • Bags
  • Belts
  • Gloves
  • Hats
  • Headbands
  • Jewelry
  • Mittens
  • Purses
  • Scarves
  • Ties
  • Toques
  • Wallets

*You may donate accessories that are damaged, old, worn, torn, and/or stained, as well as unmatched/single gloves/mittens.

**All donated accessories must be dry. No medical or dangerous liquids on them such as grease, oil, blood, vomit.

  • Stuffed animals
  • Stuffed toys

*You may donate soft toys that are damaged, old, worn, torn, and/or stained.

**All donated soft toys must be dry. No medical or dangerous liquids on them such as grease, oil, blood, vomit.

  • Costume accessories
  • Masks
  • Pet clothing
  • Pet collars and leashes

*You may donate items that are damaged, old, worn, torn, and/or stained.

**All donated items must be dry. No medical or dangerous liquids on them such as grease, oil, blood, vomit.

  • Tents
  • Canvas Tarps
  • Car floor mats
  • Hard Toys
  • Kneepads, shin guards
  • Sports equipment/gear
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Wetsuits
  • Wigs
  • Window blinds

If you are unsure about what you are able to donate, check the Durham Know Before You Throw Tool.