Clean and wearable old clothes are classified as recyclable resources: in Taipei City, they may be dropped into clothing recycling bins approved by the Department of Environmental Protection or handed to recycling trucks on Mondays and Fridays; in New Taipei City, they can be handed to scheduled recycling trucks, Golden Recycling Stations, or placed in approved old clothes recycling bins without using designated trash bags. Damaged, water-soaked, soiled, foul-smelling, or unwearable clothing—as well as blankets, pillows, bedsheets, shoes, socks, and underwear—are not accepted in either city and must be disposed of in designated trash bags and handed to general garbage trucks (垃圾車).
Reminder: Clothing recycling bins only accept wearable clothing. Legal recycling bins in Taipei City display approval numbers, social welfare charity names, and contact telephone numbers on the front; if personal belongings accidentally fall inside, call the phone number on the bin to request staff to open it. The Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection (臺北市政府環境保護局) emphasizes that deposited clothes must be clean, dry, odor-free, and wearable; disposing of general garbage into recycling bins violates the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法). Recycling categories and bin locations are updated periodically by the Taipei and New Taipei environmental protection departments.
Which Garments Are Accepted and Which Are Not
In both cities, "old clothes" refers strictly to cleaned, organized garments that remain wearable. The following table is organized according to Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection FAQs (updated October 20, 2026 / ROC 115-10-20), Taipei City recycling schedule cards, and New Taipei City Resource Recycling Network guidelines (updated July 28, 2026):
| Category | Taipei City | New Taipei City |
|---|
| Accepted for Recycling | Outerwear, trousers, skirts, dresses, vests, coats, suits, and clean female underwear with intact elasticity | T-shirts, shirts, coats, suits, dresses, short skirts, trousers |
| Excluded Textiles | Blankets, pillows, bedsheets, bedspreads, hats, underwear, shoes, socks, curtains, tablecloths, bath towels, towels, aprons, carpets, floor mats, knitting yarn, belts, waistbands, leather bags, gloves, cushions, plush toys, stuffed dolls, cloth bags, cloth banners | Carpets, floor mats, bath towels, towels, hats, blankets, pillows, bedsheets, bedspreads, underwear, fabrics (including fabric scraps), footwear, socks, curtains, tablecloths, aprons, stuffed toys, leather bags (including cloth handbags) |
| Excluded Conditions | Torn fabric scraps, and clothes that are water-soaked, soiled, stained, or foul-smelling lacking recycling value | Water-soaked, soiled, worn-out, torn, or smelly garments lacking reuse value |
| Where to Submit | Approved recycling bins; Monday and Friday resource recycling trucks (flat recyclables) | Scheduled recycling trucks, Golden Recycling Stations, approved bins, or direct donation to charities |
Take special note of underwear: Taipei City lists clean female bras with intact elasticity as recyclable, while general undergarments are excluded; New Taipei City lists underwear entirely on the non-recyclable list. When unsure, inquire with local sanitation teams. For Taipei flat and dimensional recycling schedules, see waste sorting and recycling guide.
Taipei City: Identifying Legal Clothing Recycling Bins
Clothing recycling bins on Taipei roadways operate under the Taipei City Guidelines for the Management of Old Clothes Recycling and Reuse by Social Welfare Organizations (amended December 11, 2023 / ROC 112, effective December 25, 2023):
- Who may establish bins: Social welfare institutions approved by the Taipei City Department of Social Welfare with Class B rating or above in national disability service evaluations, or registered disability welfare organizations (Point 3). They must apply within announced periods and receive approval from a review committee, with permits granted for 3 years (Point 4). Currently, permits run from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2028 (ROC 114 to 117); an EPA press release on November 1, 2025 announced 49 approved charities allowed to set up 1,337 recycling bins, with 3,161 tons recycled in 2024 (ROC 113).
- Where they are placed: Public land within the city, avoiding roadways under 5.5 meters wide, red/yellow curb markings, pedestrian walkways under 2 meters wide, or within 10 meters of fire hydrants, bus stops, or intersections. Locations must not obstruct traffic, safety, or storefront operations (Point 13). Surrounding areas within 3 meters must be cleaned and maintained (Point 7).
- Appearance standards: Metal bins painted green or environmental protection colors, no larger than 110 cm long, 85 cm wide, and 175 cm high. The front must display approval number, organization name, liaison contact, telephone, operating hours, and accepted/prohibited item lists (Points 14 and 15).
- Removal upon permit revocation: If the entire permit is revoked, bins must be cleared within 30 days; if individual locations are cancelled, bins must be removed within 7 days of notice. Unremoved bins are dismantled by the city. In emergencies, call the telephone on the bin or 1999.
New Taipei City: Recycling Bins, Scheduled Trucks, and Golden Stations
In New Taipei City, old clothes management operates under the New Taipei City Guidelines for Application of Old Clothes Collection and Reuse Facilities (covering 2025–2028 / ROC 114–117):
- Four disposal channels: 1. Hand directly to scheduled recycling trucks along collection routes (free, no designated trash bags required). 2. Take to village Golden Recycling Stations for points and supplies. 3. Drop into approved old clothes recycling bins placed by welfare groups. 4. Donate directly to charitable institutions.
- Legal bin identification: Approved bins in New Taipei feature official approval stickers, organization names, emergency contact numbers, and approved location numbers. Setting up bins requires consent from the local neighborhood chief (neighborhood chief, 里長) and police precinct, operating for 4 years (January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028 / ROC 114 to 117).
- Reporting illegal bins: Unapproved bins placed on public sidewalks or roads violate the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法) and the Road Traffic Management and Penalties Act (Chinese: 道路交通管理處罰條例), treated as roadside waste or road obstructions and removed. Report violations by dialing 1999 with location details and photos.
- Bin location queries: Consult the New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department (新北市政府環境保護局) Resource Recycling Information Network to search approved bin locations by district.
Disposing of Damaged and Soiled Garments
| Clothing Item / Condition | How to Dispose | Reason / Regulatory Rule |
|---|
| Damaged, torn, stained, moldy, or foul-smelling clothing | Pack in designated trash bags and throw into garbage trucks (垃圾車) | Lacks recycling and reuse value; treated as general household waste |
| Underwear, underpants, socks, stockings | Pack in designated trash bags for general garbage | Hygiene considerations; excluded from clothing recycling |
| Shoes, sneakers, leather shoes, boots | Pack in designated trash bags for general garbage | Composite materials unable to be processed through textile reuse channels |
| Bed sheets, quilts, pillows, mattresses, plush toys | Small items in designated bags; large items booked as bulky waste | Textile bedding excluded from clothing bins; bulky items require booking with sanitation teams |
| Curtains, carpets, floor mats, leather bags | Pack in designated trash bags or book as bulky waste | Non-apparel fabrics excluded from recycling channels |
To check real-time truck locations and avoid missing pickups, use real-time garbage truck tracking. For designated bag sizes and pricing across dual municipalities, see garbage bag prices in Taipei and New Taipei; for disposal procedures for other common household items, see Taiwan garbage disposal guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do clothes deposited in recycling bins go?
Approved welfare organizations collect, sort, and clean donated garments for donation to disadvantaged families, sale in charity thrift shops, or export to developing markets to fund charitable operations.
What should I do if I accidentally drop a phone or keys into a donation bin?
Check the front of the bin for the management organization's contact telephone number and call immediately for staff assistance. In urgent cases, call the 1999 citizen hotline.
Can old clothes be thrown directly into the garbage truck?
Clean, wearable clothes should be recycled via bins or recycling trucks without trash bags. Severely damaged or unwearable garments must be enclosed in designated trash bags and handed to general garbage trucks.
On which days does Taipei City collect old clothes via recycling trucks?
Taipei City collects clean old clothes on Mondays and Fridays as part of its flat recyclable collection schedule.
Can shoes be dropped into old clothes recycling bins?
No. Shoes are made of composite materials and are not accepted in clothing recycling bins in either Taipei or New Taipei. Dispose of shoes in designated trash bags as general waste.
Last updated: 2026-11-01
This article was compiled by SOSfix editors from public information for general reference only; for specific collection schedules or bin locations, contact the Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection (臺北市政府環境保護局) or the New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department (新北市政府環境保護局).
Sources
- Taipei City law search system: Taipei City Guidelines for the Management of Old Clothes Recycling and Reuse by Social Welfare Organizations (amended December 11, 2023 / ROC 112, effective December 25, 2023, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): Point 3 applicant qualifications, Point 4 3-year permit period, Point 7 3-meter maintenance, Point 13 site placement limits, Points 14 and 15 bin dimensions and label specifications, 30-day and 7-day dismantling deadlines.
- Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection: FAQ - Can old clothes be recycled? (updated October 20, 2026 / ROC 115-10-20, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): wearable clothing definition, recyclable female bras with intact elasticity, list of excluded textiles, non-wearable soiled clothing treated as general waste.
- Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection: FAQ - What should I do if I accidentally drop keys or items into a recycling bin? (updated October 20, 2026 / ROC 115-10-20, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): contact phone numbers on bins, 1999 citizen helpline, bin approval details.
- Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection: Recycling bins only accept clothes, illegal waste disposal strictly forbidden (published May 10, 2024 / ROC 113, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): ban on general garbage in bins, Waste Disposal Act enforcement, clean clothing standards, 49 charities, 1,337 bins, 3,161 tons recycled in 2024.
- Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection press release: Taipei clothing recycling bins debut fresh look with SDG branding (published December 9, 2025 / ROC 114, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): updated appearance and verification stickers for approved bins.
- Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection press release: Loving the earth through green recycling (published July 6, 2022 / ROC 111, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): bins accept apparel only; shoes, dolls, bags, blankets are unaccepted.
- Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection: Recycling schedule and sorting guide card (PDF, August 21, 2023 / ROC 112, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): Monday and Friday collection of clean clothes, torn fabrics and shoes excluded.
- Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection FAQ: Citizen garbage and recycling disposal schedule (updated October 20, 2026 / ROC 115-10-20, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): 5 collection days weekly, Wednesday and Sunday pause, designated timing and stations.
- New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department Resource Recycling Network: What items can be recycled? (updated July 28, 2026, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): New Taipei recyclable clothing items and excluded items list.
- New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department Resource Recycling Network: Old clothes and second-hand goods (updated December 12, 2025, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): old clothes definition, recycling truck and Golden Station disposal, bin queries.
- New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department Resource Recycling Network: Resource recycling FAQ (verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): old clothes free from designated bag requirement, shoes require designated bags.
- New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department FAQ: Which clothes can be recycled and through what channels? (October 8, 2018, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): clothing definitions, excluded lists, 4 disposal channels.
- New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department FAQ: What to do if bin locations impact neighborhood safety or traffic? (October 8, 2018, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): borough chief and police consent, reporting obstructive bins with location numbers.
- New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department: Application regulations for old clothes collection facilities 2025–2028 (PDF, verified 2026-11-01) (in Chinese): approval window January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028 / ROC 114 to 117, borough chief consent, on-site review, approval stickers.
