Can You Recycle Clothes Hangers?

Not in the Curbside Bin

Neither wire nor plastic hangers are accepted in almost all curbside programs. Wire hangers are springy and pointy and snag the conveyor belts and sorters; plastic hangers are molded from mixed, low-grade resins (often polystyrene #6 or polycarbonate #7), frequently carry no recycling code, and their shape jams the machinery. A few programs (New York City is one) are exceptions, so it's worth checking your local rules — but for most people, hangers go through other channels.

Wire Hangers: Scrap Metal or Dry Cleaner

Wire hangers are steel, the most-recycled metal, so they genuinely recycle — just not curbside. Two good routes: return them to a dry cleaner, which will reuse them, or take a bundle to a scrap-metal recycler, where they're usually accepted free. Don't toss them loose in your cart unless your program specifically says metal hangers are okay.

Plastic Hangers: Reuse or Donate

Plastic hangers are the hard case — standard recyclers won't take them, and an estimated 85% end up in landfills. So reuse is the real answer: donate usable hangers to a thrift store or shelter (they always need them for displaying clothes), give them back to a dry cleaner, or check whether a retailer that sells clothing will take its own hangers back — policies vary, so ask the store. If nobody will reuse them, they unfortunately go in the trash. Buying fewer, sturdier hangers is the long-term fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recycle clothes hangers?

Not in your curbside bin, in almost all programs — both wire and plastic hangers tangle or jam the sorting equipment. Wire hangers recycle as scrap metal or get reused by dry cleaners; plastic hangers are best donated or reused. A few programs (like NYC) are exceptions, so check your local rules.

How do I recycle wire hangers?

Wire hangers are steel, so they're recyclable — just not curbside. Return them to a dry cleaner for reuse, or take a bundle to a scrap-metal recycler, which usually accepts them free. See our scrap metal guide for yards near you.

Are plastic hangers recyclable?

Generally no — they're molded from mixed low-grade resins, often have no resin code, and jam sorting machines, so standard recyclers won't take them (about 85% end up in landfills). Donate or reuse them instead: thrift stores, shelters, dry cleaners, or a retailer take-back if the store offers one.

What's the best thing to do with old hangers?

Reuse and donation beat recycling for both types. Return wire hangers to a dry cleaner or scrap-metal recycler; donate usable plastic hangers to a thrift store, shelter or dry cleaner, or use a store take-back program. For plastic hangers nobody will reuse, the trash is often the only honest option.