Are you slowly building up a closet of eco-friendly clothing but growing concerned about the mountain of old plastic clothes hangers from years of questionable fast fashion choices?
You're not alone. I'm often asked, "Can you recycle plastic hangers?"
I've used my decades of eco-testing experience and research skills to reveal the facts.
The truth is that recycling plastic hangers is possible, but in practice it is very difficult to do.
That's because most plastic hangers are made from polystyrene and polypropylene. Their composition means that there are very few recycling facilities that can process them.
But don't toss them in the trash just yet.
There are innovative recycling programs, eco-friendly alternatives, and creative upcycling projects that can help keep plastic hangers out of landfills and oceans.
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Most plastic hangers are made from a mix of polystyrene and polypropylene.
Polystyrene is lightweight and quick to break down, but not in a good way.
Instead of vanishing, it transforms into microplastics. These tiny invaders find their way into rivers, oceans, and, eventually, into the bellies of sea life.
It's not exactly the legacy we're aiming for.
Polypropylene is strong, resistant to fatigue, and less likely to crack under pressure than polystyrene.
You'll find it in more than just hangers; it's everywhere, from automotive parts to baby bottles.
Have you ever noticed those little numbers inside chasing arrows on your plastic items?
They're not just there for decoration. Each number, from 1 to 7, tells the recycling center the type of plastic they're dealing with.
Polystyrene has a recycling code 6, and polypropylene has a recycling code 5.
Check out this guide to plastic recycling symbols for a more detailed breakdown of all seven recycling numbers.
Recycling plastic coat hangers isn't as simple as tossing them in your recycling bin for curbside pickup. Doing so will result in them being rejected at the recycling center and thrown in landfills.
Polystyrene is very challenging to recycle.
Polypropylene is slightly easier to recycle than polystyrene. However, only 1% of all polypropylene is currently recycled.
Then you've got the issue of hangers made from a mix of plastic and other materials. These hangers are treated as #7 (Other), which is not commonly recyclable.
Also, many hangers don't even have a recycling code on them. Making it difficult to know what they're made of.
However, don't immediately dismiss contacting your local waste management authorities.
Yes, they'll unlikely be able to recycle your unwanted plastic hangers for you. But they might have information on recycling programs that aren't widely advertised but are willing to help you dispose of your hangers responsibly.
The main challenge with black plastic is that sorting machines at recycling facilities often can't see it due to its color. These machines use near-infrared (NIR) technology, and black plastic absorbs the infrared light instead of reflecting it, making it invisible to the sensors.
But don't write them off just yet! Awareness is growing, and efforts are underway to improve sorting technologies and find alternative methods for recycling black hangers.
It's a work in progress, and innovation is hopefully not far away.
A few recyclers have the equipment and processes to handle the quirky nature of plastic hangers.
The following resources will help you connect with specialist recyclers who may be able to accept them.
First up is RecycleNation.
Just punch in your location and what you need to recycle, and voila! You'll have a list of local facilities ready to take those hangers off your hands.
Their website is easy to use. I especially like that you can add filters to your search to hunt out a recycler of specific plastics (#5, #6, and #7, for example).
Then there's Earth911, a veteran in the recycling world.
Their extensive database is excellent for finding recycling centers. The search results include details of what the center accepts and what recycling processes it operates.
Like the RecycleNation filters, the Earth911 quick search feature on the website's left side allows you to filter your search based on plastic type.
Rounding off the list is TerraCycle, the maverick of recycling.
TerraCycle has designed programs specifically for items that traditional recycling programs often reject.
Participation might come with a cost, but the impact you make by ensuring these plastics don't end up in landfills is priceless.
If you have no luck with the specialists mentioned in the previous section, don't panic...all is not lost! You can still do things to keep your old hangers out of the trash.
Shelters, thrift stores, and non-profit organizations often need clothing storage and display hangers. Our local Salvation Army is always happy to take unwanted hangers.
Donating your hangers can help these groups immensely. Providing them with a necessary resource while keeping hangers out of landfills.
Many dry cleaners accept used hangers and often reuse them for other customers.
This reduces waste and supports local businesses in their sustainability efforts.
Next time you drop off your laundry, take your extra hangers and ask if they can be reused. It's a small gesture that can make a big difference.
Freecycle is a platform dedicated to reducing waste through the free exchange of goods.
Listing your hangers on Freecycle can quickly find them a new home, where they'll continue to be used and appreciated.
It's a win-win: you declutter responsibly, and someone else benefits from your generosity.
One of the simplest ways to reduce hanger waste is to use fewer of them.
Whenever you buy clothes in-store, decline the offer of taking the hanger home. Many retailers recycle or reuse hangers in-house, which can help reduce the demand for new hangers.
When buying online, choose brands specializing in organic and recycled clothes. These brands understand the need for sustainable packaging and will rarely (if ever) use hangers. You could even email them before placing an order to request that no hangers be sent to you.
If you're feeling crafty, hangers offer endless possibilities for DIY projects. A few of my favorites include the following:
Forty billion hangers are imported into the US annually (of which an estimated 85% end up in landfills!).
While they break down (a potential lifecycle of hundreds of years), they release harmful chemicals into the ground and air.
Making plastic hangers is also resource-intensive. It requires petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and emits large quantities of CO2, contributing to climate change.
Most wooden hangers offer more durability and support for clothes than plastic hangers. They also bring a touch of elegance and warmth to your closet.
From an environmental standpoint, wooden hangers are a good choice, especially those made from sustainably sourced (such as FSC-certified) or reclaimed wood.
Bamboo hangers are becoming popular thanks to their lightweight design and robust durability.
Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource that requires no fertilizer and little water to thrive. It can be harvested without harming the plant.
Cardboard hangers are designed to be surprisingly sturdy and capable of holding lightweight items. They're ideal for temporary uses, like dry cleaners or clothing events. Or longer-term use if you're careful and keep them dry.
The real draw is their biodegradability and recyclability, which puts them leagues ahead of plastic in environmental terms.
While they might not be the best choice for your heavy winter coat, they're an excellent option for lighter garments.
Wire hangers present a bit of a mixed bag.
On one hand, they're more sustainable than plastic because metal is highly recyclable.
On the other hand, their thin profile can be harsh on your clothes, leading to stretched fabrics and misshapen necklines.
If you're considering wire hangers as a step away from plastic, choose ones with a thicker gauge to minimize damage to your clothes.
Choosing hangers made from recycled plastic eliminates virgin plastic use.
When selecting recycled hangers, look for those with high recycled content and ensure they can be recycled again.
I particularly like recycled plastic hangers made from ocean-bound plastics.
If you can't find a recycling solution that accepts the hangers as they are, consider removing the metal hooks from the plastic bodies. You can recycle the components separately, according to your local recycling program's guidelines. Metal hooks can often be recycled with other metal items, and the plastic part might be accepted once the metal has been removed.
No, I can find no evidence on Walmart's corporate website that it recycles hangers. I've contacted Walmart for clarification and will update this article when I receive a reply.
Yes - according to Kohl's 2022 ESG Report, its recycling service processed over 10 million pounds of hangers in 2022. However this only applies to their own hangers that are unsold, or that customers opt not to take home with them.
Yes, most metal hangers can be recycled as scrap metal. Click here and enter your zip code to find out who takes metal hangers in your area.
Surprisingly, most wooded hangers are hard to recycle. This is due to the varnishes and other coatings applied to extend usable life. However, a sustainably sourced wooden hanger is still better than one made from virgin plastic.
Downcycling is a recycling process where materials are transformed into new products of lesser quality or reduced functionality.
Unlike upcycling, which elevates the original material, downcycling typically uses the material in a lower-grade application. Plastic is not infinitely recyclable.
Downcycling helps reduce waste but contributes to a decrease in material quality over time.
Plastic hangers are notoriously difficult to recycle and are generally not accepted for curbside pickup. However, it is possible in some situations, such as by contacting a specialist recycler.
Even if plastic hanger recycling is impossible in your area, you still have options. Such as:
Every sustainable hanger decision you make is a step towards a cleaner planet.
Do you have a good alternative to curbside recycling for plastic and metal hangers in your area? Drop me a line and let me know.
