Textile Recycling Options in Barrie and Orillia

Give Clothes a Second Life: Textile Recycling Options in Barrie and Orillia

Most people do not realize how much clothing and household fabric ends up in landfill every year.

An estimated 85% of textiles are thrown away despite roughly 95% of those materials being recyclable or reusable. Across Canada, that translates into hundreds of millions of pounds of clothing, linens, shoes, and fabric sitting in landfills unnecessarily.

As conversations around sustainability, affordability, and responsible consumption continue to grow across Simcoe County, local textile recycling programs are becoming an important part of reducing waste while also supporting community organizations doing meaningful work.

One initiative operating in Barrie and Orillia is a third-party textile collection service called Recycling Rewards, which partners with local organizations including Cornerstone to Recovery.

Why Textile Recycling Matters

Textiles create significant environmental strain when sent to landfill. As materials break down, they release methane gas, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Items many people assume are “too worn out” to donate can often still be repurposed, recycled into industrial materials, or reused in other ways.

That includes:

Clothing
Shoes and boots
Bedding and linens
Towels
Stuffed toys
Fabric scraps
Curtains and drapery

Even damaged or mismatched items may still be recyclable depending on condition.

How the Program Works

The curbside textile collection process is relatively straightforward:

Step 1

Determine your scheduled collection day.

Step 2

Place accepted items into a large waterproof plastic bag.

Barrie residents can attach a printed “TEXTILES” sign or simply label the bag clearly.

Step 3

Place bags outside by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.

Collections run rain or shine, typically between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

What Happens to Donated Items?

According to Recycling Rewards, donations help support Cornerstone to Recovery, a charitable organization providing recovery programs and community support for individuals and families impacted by addiction.

Programs like this create a practical way for households to declutter responsibly while helping divert usable goods away from landfill.

Commonly Accepted Items

Clothing

Coats and jackets
Jeans and pants
Dresses and skirts
T-shirts and sweaters
Socks and undergarments
Uniforms and activewear

Linens

Bedding and sheets
Blankets and comforters
Towels and washcloths
Curtains and cushions
Sleeping bags
Sewing fabric

Shoes

Sneakers
Boots
Running shoes
Dress shoes
Slippers
Cleats

Some locations may also accept household goods such as:

Books
Toys
Kitchenware
Lamps
Sporting goods
Small electrical items
Décor items

Items That Are Not Accepted

The program cannot accept:

Mattresses
Couches
Large furniture
Construction materials
Paint
Food
Large appliances
Wet or mouldy clothing

If items are unsafe, damaged beyond handling, or too heavy for collection staff to manage, they may be refused.

Local Donation & Drop-Off Options

In addition to curbside pickup programs, residents can also use local donation bins and designated drop-off locations throughout Barrie, Orillia, and surrounding communities.

These programs can be especially helpful during:

Spring cleaning
Downsizing
Estate transitions
Moving preparation
Seasonal wardrobe changes

For many households, it is also a reminder that sustainability does not always require dramatic lifestyle changes. Sometimes it simply starts with redirecting what we no longer use.

Before You Donate

A few quick reminders:

Bag items securely
Keep donations dry
Label textile bags clearly if required
Separate unacceptable items beforehand
Do not leave furniture or garbage beside donation bins

Small actions done consistently across a community make a measurable difference over time.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. The Murree Group | MovingSimcoe.com Team is not affiliated with or responsible for the operation of third-party collection services or charitable organizations mentioned above. Residents should verify current program guidelines, collection schedules, and accepted items directly with the service provider.

Additional resources:

environmental stats:
Environment and Climate Change Canada