Can You Recycle Coat Hangers

We have all been there: In a tangle of chaos at the base of the closet are wads of wire, plastic, and wooden hangers. They are either left overs from a dry cleaning trip or what is left of a cheap purchase from years past, but hangers have a way of multiplying when we aren’t looking.

The Sustainable Closet: From Fashion to Hangar Recycling

Winter Essentials Coats and jackets are the pillars of your wardrobe which also serve as protective elements and a touch of personal style. But in the midst of expanding our outerwear collections we forget about the environment which is affected by the production of the hangers that support them. We balance our love for quality fashion with sustainability in the closet by learning how to properly use these everyday items once they have run their course.

May We Recycle Coat Hangers

The short answer is: It is that which it is. Although most hangers are made from what may be recycled materials the fact of “curbside recycling’ is at times very different. In this in depth guide we will go into the details of the recycling process for each type of hanger, look at eco friendly options and also will help you to clean out your closet without the environment suffering.

The Great Recycling Dilemma: Why Do Hangers Cause Issues

Before jumping into the details of the materials it is key to see that which items are the “baddies” in the recycling world out. Most municipal recycling plants (MRFs) are for flat paper, round bottles, and aluminum cans.

Hangers out on their long necks and hooked tops are what we term “tanglers. In the auto sorting systems at a recycler’s site they tie up the machines, which in turn cause breakdowns of expensive equipment. Because of this many cities put out that hangers are banned from the blue bin even if the material is in fact recyclable.

1. Clothes Pins (dry Cleaning Version)

Wire hangers are out of low grade steel. Steel is the world’s most recycled material yet wire hangers do not make it into the curbside collection.

• The Problem: Their thin pliable nature which is to say they are the perfect “tangle” tool.
• The Solution: Drop off at Dry Cleaners: We do this for the best in terms of recycling wire hangers. Most dry cleaning businesses are happy to accept back their hangers to use again, which in turn saves them money and also keeps the metal out of the landfill.
• Scrap Metal Yards: If you are looking at a large collection of wire hangers take them to the scrap metal yard. We have the equipment to handle large volumes of that which you don’t need. Also we can take care of it safety for you.

Do not include them in the blue bin if your local council does not specify that they accept “scrap metal items.

2. Closet Workhorses

Plastic hangers are typically made of either Polystyrene (No. 6 plastic) or Polypropylene (No. 5 plastic).

• The Problem: These plastics we see to be of a brittle nature or made from a mix of resins which do not separate well. Also many plastic hangers are what we term “composite items” which is to say that they have a metal hook which is attached to a plastic body. If a recycling facility is not able to separate these two materials easily the whole item goes in the trash.
• The Solution: Check out the Number: See if it has a recycling symbol. If it is a #5 some specialized centers will take it.
• Retailer Drop-offs: Large apparel chains (like Target and H&M) at times run in store hanger recycling.
• Donation: When in good repair local thrift stores and homeless shelters are a good resource.

3. Elegant Hangers

Wooden hangers are beautiful but they do have a hard time in the recycling process.

• The Problem: Almost at all wooden hangers we see them dressed in varnish, paint or stain. As they are what you may call processed wood they do not go in the compost or make good mulch. Also they almost always have metal hooks and sometimes plastic clips.
• The Solution: If you’re set on recycling take out the metal hook which goes to the steel/metal recycler and repurpose the wood in a creative way.
• Longevity is Key: The best choice for a wooden hanger is to not throw it out. These are made to last for decades. If you do not want it pass it along for free on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives: Think Outside the Box

If we are having issues with recycling then how do we achieve sustainability? We should aim at a circular economy.

• Switch to Bamboo: Bamboo shoots up very quickly and is a natural at decomposing. Also we have bamboo hangers which may not be as strong as wood but certainly do better for the environment.
• Cardboard Hangers: Some sustainable companies are jumping on the bandwagon of using heavy duty recycled card board hangers for their clothes. These may be put in your curbside paper recycling without issue.
• Invest in “Forever” Hangers: Instead of the cheap plastic which breaks, go for high quality velvet or heavy duty metal hangers that will last you a lifetime.
• Creative Upcycling: Renewing old hangers.

If local facilities don’t have an option for it, think outside the box!

• Garden Stakes: Use trellis type structures which you can make from wire hangers for your climbing plants or to prop up row covers in the garden.
• Wreath Frames: Wreath bases may be made from bent wire hangers.
• Art Displays: Use fine toothed clips for your kids’ art or photos on a gallery wall.

Conclusion

Recycling of coat hangers does not come easy which is a fact, but it is doable with a little put in from you. By which I mean to0 that we should go for reusing (returning wire hangers to the dry cleaners) and donation (giving out plastic hangers to charity) which in turn will greatly reduce what goes into our landfills.

The longest lasting hanger is the one you are using now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can plastic coat hangers go in recycling bin UK?

A: No in the UK plastic coat hangers do not go in household recycling. Instead they should be reused, given away or taken to a special recycling facility.

Q2: Which dry cleaners take back wire hangers?

A: Most dry cleaners will pass back wire hangers at your request that is a common practice as they reuse the wire hangers instead of putting them out for general kerbside recycling.

Q3: Are velvet hangers recyclable?

A: No, a lot of what we put in the recycling with velvet hangers is out of place and they do in fact end up in the trash as they are made of mixed materials; do to that instead of recycling try to reuse or donate them.

Q3: Are velvet hangers recyclable?

A: You may donate lots of hangers to charity stores, local shelters, dry cleaners, or community share groups like Freecycle and Olio which is great, but do check with them first that they do in fact take in large deposits.

Q: Can I recycle the hangers that come with my Express Jackets order?

A: Surely you can recycle the hangers that come with your Express Jackets purchase, but they don’t go in your home recycling bin; instead we ask that you take them to a special recycling location like at the back of the grocery section at Tesco’s which has hanger recycling.