​Clothing, Textile and Apparel Acceptance 

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Accepted item list​
Non-accepted items list​​
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​​​​​General Guidelines​

Material condition is a very important aspect of item acceptance for Kane County and eWorks clothing, textile and apparel program.

​We love receiving clothing and apparel in good, like new or gently worn condition. eWorks program participants from area school districts work with a company called re.tex to list many of these items online for resale with proceeds benefiting the schools.

We also take clothing, apparel and textiles that are not typically resold (underwear, socks, sheets, towels) and items in poor/damaged condition with some limitations. These items are sent to processors and eventually repurposed into rags, carpet padding, upholstery​ stuffing and other industrial uses.

The following types of ​damage are acceptable:

We can take items with tears, rips, holes, bleach damage, loose/trailing threads, broken zippers, missing buttons or snaps, stains that won't wash out, and other cosmetic issues.

The following types of ​damage and conditions are not acceptable - please address the problem before bringing items or discard them in trash:

We cannot take wet items or items with mold or mildew, dirt and grime, excessive​ amounts of animal hair or other allergens, smoke damage, strong bad odors, presence of solvents or other hazardous and biohazardous materials, or infestation by insects or rodents.

​Accepted Items

​With the above guidance in mind, here's an alphabetized list of clothing, apparel and textile items that are accepted by the Kane County Recycle Program at Recycling Centers and/or events ​for free. If you have questions about item acceptance, call 630-208-3841 or email recycle@kanecountyil.gov​ for assistance.

• ​​​​Belts
  

• Blankets
  

• ​Burp cloths & receiving blankets

• Cloth placemats & napkins

• Clothing - pants, shirts, skirts, dresses, shoes, sweaters, shorts, onesies, etc., for all sizes, ages, genders, etc.
  

• Crafting fabric - scraps okay, but please bag separately
  

• Curtains

• Drop cloths (canvas)

• Duvet covers - ​please remove and discard fiber-filled duvet
  

• Footwear - all styles (shoes, boots, sandals), for all sizes, ages, genders, etc.
  

• Furniture slip covers​ - indoor furniture use, no patio furniture covers
  

• Gloves

• Handbags

• Hats
  

• Home textiles

• Neckties

• Out​​erwear
  

• Pajamas

• Pillow cases ​- washed and clean, please remove and discard all pillows
  

• Purses
  

• Quilts

• Scarves

• Sheets ​- washed and clean please!
  

• Shoes

• Sleepwear - ​washed and clean please!
  

• Socks - washed and clean please!

• Towels

• Underwear - washed and clean please!​
  

• Wallets
  

Non-Accepted Items

We cannot accept the following items, regardless of condition.

• Carpet, rugs, carpet padding

• Dog toys

• Fiber-fill comforters and loose fiber fill

• Insulation

• Non-woven plastic items, including but not limited to plastic placemats, plastic sheeting or drop cloths, vinyl shower curtains, vinyl tablecloths

• Pet beds

• Pillows

• Plushies/stuffed animals

• Rags used for cleaning grease, motor oil, wood stain, oil-based paint, gasoline, or any other flammable solvent

• Tarps

• ​Upholstered furniture