 Reuse!
Give your textiles a new purpose
Do you have old clothes or fabrics lying around? Instead of tossing them out, consider repurposing them into something new! Repurposing textiles is a creative and sustainable way to reduce waste while giving your old garments a fresh purpose. Whether you upcycle them into trendy accessories, transform them into household items, or donate them to those in need, there are plenty of ways to extend the life of your textiles.
Creative Repurposing & Upcycling
With a little creativity, old textiles can be transformed into stylish accessories, home decor, and functional household items. Here are some ideas to get started:
New Garments & Accessories
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Jeans to Shorts: Give your worn-out jeans a second chance by cutting them into trendy shorts.
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Scrunchies & Headbands: Use fabric scraps to make unique scrunchies or headbands.
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Tote Bags: Convert old shirts, jeans, or curtains into reusable shopping bags.
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Quilts: Stitch together fabric scraps to create a cozy and personalized quilt.
Home Decor & Organization
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Draft Stoppers: Keep your home warm by filling fabric tubes with stuffing to block drafts.
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Pet Beds: Repurpose old blankets and clothing to make soft and cozy pet beds.
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Rugs & Baskets: Weave fabric strips into decorative rugs, baskets, or even wall art.
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Reusable Makeup Wipes: Swap disposable cotton rounds for fabric wipes that can be washed and reused.
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Cord Keepers: Tidy up electronic cords with small fabric wraps.
Cleaning & Practical Items
Other Fun Ideas
Donate & Give Back
If you’re not into DIY projects, consider donating your old clothes and textiles. Many charities, thrift stores, and even animal shelters accept fabric donations. The County also has a list of non-profit partners that will accept you're textiles, clothes, shoes and more (The List )!
By repurposing or donating your textiles, you’re not only reducing waste but also contributing to a more sustainable future.
Recycle
Give your textile another life
Textile Recycling
Do you have worn-out clothing, fabric scraps, or textiles that are too stained or damaged to donate? Not much of a DIY-er? A new textile recycling pilot program is now available in the county!
In partnership with Helpsy and the Solid Waste Management Program has launched this initiative to give residents a convenient way to recycle unwanted textiles. Residents can bring their textiles to the blue collection bins located next to the Recycling Loop at the I-66 Transfer Station. This is the same area where recyclable materials and food scraps for composting can be dropped off.
How the Program Works
Residents can drop off their textiles at the designated blue bins at the I-66 Transfer Station. Items collected through the program are either:
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Reused: Resold through thrift partners in North America and globally or donated to community organizations.
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Recycled: Repurposed into new materials such as insulation, industrial rags, and other useful products.
What Can Be Donated?
The program accepts a wide range of textiles, including:
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Clothing – Tops, sweaters, jeans, dresses, outerwear, baby clothes, undergarments, and more.
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Footwear – Sneakers, boots, heels, slippers, cleats, and more.
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Accessories – Hats, bags, gloves, scarves, jewelry, and sunglasses.
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Linens – Sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters, curtains, and table linens.
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Other Items – Stuffed animals, sports uniforms, and luggage.
All dropped-off itemsmust be clean, dry, odor-free, and in a securely closed plastic bag.
By taking part in this program, you’re helping to reduce waste, conserve resources, and give textiles a new purpose. If the pilot program is successful, more Helpsy bins could be placed throughout the county, making textile recycling even more accessible. Start recycling your textiles today!
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Countywide Waste Collection Proposal
Fairfax County is considering a new waste collection system through Unified Sanitation Districts (USD). Under USD, the county would manage waste hauling contracts directly with collectors, making the process easier for residents in single-family homes. All residential waste collection would be done by private collectors and managed by the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).
The Board of Supervisors will vote on moving forward with the USD process following a public hearing in June 2025. More information on the public hearing will be provided later this spring. If the Board votes to move forward, Virginia law requires the county to provide five-year notice to private collection companies. DPWES will provide more details on implementing USD via different platforms, including this web page, and will offer multiple opportunities for public review and input. If you would like to learn more, visit the USD webpage.
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