The easiest things to do with old hangers are to return them, donate them, or recycle them, depending on the type. Wire hangers go back to a dry cleaner or to scrap metal, sturdy plastic and wood hangers are welcome at thrift and consignment stores, and broken ones can be recycled or repurposed.
Hangers pile up fast and are tricky for curbside recycling, so here is where each kind should actually go.
Return Wire Hangers to a Dry Cleaner
Most dry cleaners happily take back clean wire hangers to reuse. Bundle them up and drop them off next time you go. It is the simplest fix and keeps them out of the landfill.
Donate Plastic and Wood Hangers
Thrift stores, consignment shops, and clothing closets always need hangers and often run short. Schools, theaters, and Buy Nothing groups take them too. Sturdy wood and tubular plastic hangers are the most welcome.
Recycle Them
- Wire hangers are steel, so a scrap metal yard will take them, and some curbside metal programs accept them. Check your local rules.
- Plastic hangers are usually NOT accepted curbside, because they are a mixed plastic. Some stores that sell clothing will take their own hangers back for recycling, so ask.
- Wood hangers with metal hooks can be separated, the wood reused or composted if untreated, and the metal scrapped.
Repurpose Old Hangers
- Bend a wire hanger into a hook, a wreath frame, or a plant support
- Use clip hangers to hold recipes, photos, or chip bags
- Make a simple drying rack for gloves, hats, or art
If you are clearing the whole closet, our closet decluttering guide and old clothes guide can help, and the declutter and recycle guide covers the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you recycle plastic hangers?
Usually not in curbside bins, since they are a mixed plastic. Some clothing stores take their own hangers back, and a few specialty programs accept them. Donating is often easier.
Where can I donate old hangers?
Thrift stores, consignment shops, schools, theaters, and Buy Nothing groups. Sturdy wood and plastic hangers are the most useful.
What do I do with wire hangers?
Return clean ones to a dry cleaner to reuse, or take them to a scrap metal yard. They are steel, so they recycle well as metal.
Are wood hangers recyclable?
Separate the metal hook from the wood. The metal can be scrapped, and untreated wood can be reused or composted.