What to Do With Old Underwear in Australia (Recycling, Donating and More)
Why You Shouldn't Bin Your Old Underwear
Most Australians toss worn-out underwear straight into the bin without a second thought. It seems like the obvious move, especially when items are too worn to donate. But sending underwear to landfill has a real environmental cost.
Synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon can take hundreds of years to break down. Even natural fibres like cotton release methane as they decompose in landfill conditions. When you multiply that across millions of households, the impact adds up fast.
The good news is that there are now legitimate options in Australia to deal with old underwear responsibly, whether it is recycling, repurposing, or something else entirely.
Can You Recycle Underwear in Australia?
Yes, you can. Underwear is one of the trickiest textile items to deal with because most op shops and charity bins will not accept it for hygiene reasons. But dedicated textile recycling programs have stepped in to fill that gap.
Several Australian organisations now accept old underwear specifically, breaking it down into raw material rather than letting it go to waste. These programs treat worn underwear not as rubbish but as a resource.
What Underwear Can (and Can't) Be Recycled
What's Accepted
Most programs will accept underwear that is:
Worn but structurally intact
Made from cotton, polyester, nylon, elastane or blended fabrics
Clean and dry before sending
What's Not Accepted
There are some limitations to be aware of. Programs typically cannot accept:
Items that are wet or damp
Underwear contaminated with bodily fluids beyond normal wear
Items with excessive mould or damage
When in doubt, check the specific program's guidelines before sending anything.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recycling Your Old Underwear
Sort through your drawer. Pull out anything you no longer wear, including items that are faded, stretched or past their best.
Check the condition. Give items a wash if needed. They do not need to be perfect, but they should be clean and dry.
Choose a recycling program. See the section below for options available in Australia.
Package your items. Follow the program's specific instructions. Some require a prepaid satchel; others accept a standard parcel.
Send or drop off. Post your package or find a local drop-off point depending on the service.
Close the loop. Some programs offer store credit or rewards for participating.
Australian Underwear Recycling Programs to Know About
Project Down Under
Project Down Under is one of the only programs in Australia focused specifically on underwear recycling. They provide an official satchel for sending items back, which ensures items are handled correctly through the recycling stream. The satchel matters because underwear cannot go through standard mixed textile recycling without cross-contamination risk.
Once received, items are sorted and broken down into raw fibre material, which is then used in manufacturing insulation, padding and other industrial products.
The Rescue Guys (TRG)
The Rescue Guys operate textile recycling collections across Sydney and Melbourne. While their program covers a broader range of textiles and shoes, they do accept underwear as part of the mix. Their model rewards participants with store credit and focuses heavily on diverting items from landfill before they become greenhouse gas contributors.
Other Textile Recycling Options Near You
Beyond dedicated underwear programs, some broader textile recyclers will accept underwear depending on their current processing partners. It is always worth checking with:
Upparel (formerly MRC Recycling) across major Australian cities
Traid and similar circular fashion initiatives
Local council textile drop-off events, which are becoming more common
How to Send Your Items Back: Packaging and Postage Explained
Each program has slightly different requirements, so always read the instructions before packing.
For Project Down Under, an official prepaid satchel is required. This is not just a formality: underwear needs to be kept separate from general textile streams during processing. The satchel purchase usually includes return postage.
For broader textile recyclers like The Rescue Guys, you can typically pack items in any box or bag, sealed securely. Some programs offer free collection from your address; others charge a small fee to cover logistics. That fee usually goes directly toward the cost of processing and transport rather than profit.
What Happens to Your Underwear After It's Recycled?
Once your underwear reaches a recycling facility, it goes through a sorting and shredding process. The fabric is broken down into raw fibre, which then gets repurposed as:
Insulation material for buildings
Padding for furniture and automotive seats
Industrial wiping cloths
New blended yarn in some advanced processing streams
Nothing in this process is wasted. Even heavily degraded fabrics can be turned into something useful, which is what makes textile recycling genuinely worthwhile rather than just greenwashing.
Other Options: Donating, Repurposing or Upcycling Old Underwear
Recycling is not your only option. Depending on the condition of your old underwear, you might consider:
Donating to specific charities. Some homeless shelters and community organisations accept new or near-new underwear because it is one of the most requested but least donated items. If yours is clean and in good shape, check with organisations like Fitted for Work, Share the Dignity, or local shelters before sending it to recycling.
Using it as cleaning rags. Old cotton underwear makes excellent cleaning cloths. Cut them into squares and keep them under the sink. This extends the life of the material without any shipping or processing needed.
Composting natural fibres. If your underwear is made entirely from natural fibres like cotton or bamboo with no synthetic components, it can be composted. Remove any elastic or hardware first, cut the fabric into small pieces and add it to your compost bin. It will break down over time.
The Environmental Impact of Textile Waste in Australia
Australians send around 800,000 tonnes of textiles to landfill every year, making us one of the highest per capita textile waste producers in the world. Underwear represents a small but consistent slice of that waste stream, partly because it is considered too personal to donate and partly because people simply do not know there are alternatives.
Keeping textiles out of landfill matters for a few reasons. Decomposing fabric in landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide over a short timeframe. Synthetic fibres also fragment into microplastics over time, which can leach into groundwater.
Choosing to recycle even a bag of old underwear is a small act with a measurable downstream effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to recycle underwear?
Yes. Recycling facilities that process textiles handle all kinds of used clothing as a standard part of their operation. Items are processed mechanically, not by hand sorting in most cases. As long as your items are clean and dry before sending, there are no hygiene concerns.
How much does it cost to recycle underwear in Australia?
Costs vary by program. Project Down Under charges for their official satchel, which typically includes return postage. Some broader textile recyclers offer free drop-off or charge a modest collection fee. Think of it less as a cost and more as covering the logistics of responsible disposal, which is still cheaper and better than landfill in the long run.
Can I drop off my old underwear instead of posting it?
Some programs have drop-off points, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. The Rescue Guys operate branch locations in both cities. It is worth checking each program's website for a current list of drop-off addresses, as these change periodically.
Do I get a reward or store credit for recycling?
Some programs do offer incentives. The Rescue Guys provide store credit for participating in their recycling collections. Project Down Under has also offered discounts through their platform. These vary over time, so check each program's current offer when you sign up.
How do I know if a recycling service collects from my address?
Most programs that offer home collection have a postcode checker on their website. Enter your address to confirm eligibility before booking. If home collection is not available in your area, postal drop-off is usually an option regardless of location.