'Where to donate old clothes and shoes in Germany: donations, collection

In Germany, it’s best to first sort old clothes by condition: items that are still wearable should be donated or sold, while those that are unwearable should be placed in the city’s designated collection or disposed of. This way, items don’t clutter the donation bins, charitable organizations don’t receive trash, and usable clothing can actually reach people in need or be reused.

First, decide: Is the item still wearable or not?

A “Kleiderspende” is a clothing donation, not a way to get rid of just any textiles. Before donating, try this simple test: Would you feel comfortable giving this item to someone you know? If yes, it can be considered a donation. If not, it’s probably just trash.

Clothing should be washed and dried. Donate shoes only in pairs; it’s best to tie them together with laces or a rubber band. Wet bags, mold, strong odors, and heavily soiled items can ruin not only your bag but also part of the container’s contents.

You can donate it if a specific collection point accepts it	It’s better not to put it in a donation bin
Clean, undamaged, wearable clothing	Wet, moldy, or strongly odorous items
A pair of shoes in good condition	A single shoe, shoes with a damaged sole
Hats, scarves, belts, bags	Helmets, roller skates, sports equipment, electronics
Bedding, towels, curtains—if permitted	Mattresses, rugs, upholstery fabrics, technical textiles
Clean underwear and socks—only where they’re specifically accepted	Heavily worn underwear and dirty rags

Where to donate items in good condition

Kleiderkammer and Sozialkaufhaus

If you want your clothes to reach people in the area more quickly, look for a “Kleiderkammer” (clothing distribution center), a “Sozialkaufhaus” (social thrift store), a church initiative, or a local “verein” (verein), which collects donations for specific recipients.

Before you go, it’s best to call or check the organization’s website. Organizations’ needs often change: some places need winter jackets, others need children’s clothing, some need men’s sizes, and others may have a temporarily overflowing warehouse.

DRK, Caritas, Diakonie, Oxfam, and Deutsche Kleiderstiftung

In Germany, various charitable and social organizations accept clothing, including the DRK, Caritas, Diakonie, Oxfam, and Deutsche Kleiderstiftung. The terms vary: some accept items at their stores, others through donation bins, and still others offer shipping options or local collection drives.

Seasonality matters. It’s better to donate winter clothes before the cold weather sets in, rather than at the end of winter. Summer clothes, children’s clothing, and shoes are also best donated when they’re actually needed.

Altkleidercontainer

Altkleidercontainer—a street container for old clothes. This is the simplest option, but not every container is automatically run by a charity. In Germany, there are both nonprofit and for-profit collection organizations.

Signs of a more transparent donation bin:

• the operator, address, and phone number are listed;
• It’s clearly stated what they accept and what they don’t;
• there’s information about where the items or proceeds go;
• Does it have the FairWertung label or the BVSE quality seal?
• the donation bin doesn’t look abandoned or overflowing.

You can find authorized drop-off points and charity locations using the map at altkleiderspenden.de, the websites of local organizations, and the city’s Abfallberatung.

How to properly place items in the donation bin

Pack clothes in a tied-up bag so they don’t get wet. Tie shoes together in pairs. Don’t leave bags next to the collection bin, even if it’s overflowing: after it rains, items often become unusable, and the operator has to pay for trash removal.

If a donation bin has disappeared from near your home, it’s not necessarily a mistake. In some cities, collection points are removed due to overcrowding, trash in the bins, or high sorting costs. In that case, it’s safer to check the Wertstoffhof, the city’s website, the local waste management operator’s app, or the nearest social organization.

What has changed with the separate collection of textiles

Since 2025, the EU has required the separate collection of textiles. For residents of Germany, this doesn’t mean that it’s now forbidden to throw any sock into the Restmüll. The practical implication is different: textiles that are still wearable or designated for separate collection must go into separate channels, rather than automatically ending up in residual waste.

Specific rules vary by locality. One city may accept unwearable textiles at a Wertstoffhof, another may ask you to dispose of heavily soiled rags in the Restmüll, and a third may introduce separate bins or collection campaigns. Therefore, for items you’re unsure about, check the Abfallkalender, the Bürgeramt/Abfallwirtschaft website, or your local Abfallberatung.

What to do with unwearable clothing and shoes

Unusable textiles are items that cannot be worn or passed on: those with mold, heavy stains, an unpleasant odor, damaged fabric, single shoes, or heavily worn underwear. These should not be placed in a charity drop-off bin.

Possible paths:

• Wertstoffhof. The municipal recycling center often provides guidance on where to drop off textiles that aren’t suitable for donation.
• General waste. For heavily soiled or hygienically problematic items, this may be the right option if the city doesn’t offer separate collection.
• Local drives. Some municipalities or organizations periodically collect textiles separately.
• Repair and reuse. Towels, sheets, and cotton items can sometimes be used at home as rags, provided it’s hygienic and appropriate.

There are fewer options for old shoes. A pair in good condition is usually accepted along with clothing. Worn-out shoes and single shoes are most often not suitable for donation; it’s best to check your city’s regulations for the proper disposal method.

Selling and Trading Instead of Donating

If an item is in good condition but you no longer need it, you can try selling or trading it: , Flohmarkt, local groups, Kleinanzeigen, neighborhood chat groups, or online platforms. This takes time, but a good-quality item often finds a new owner without the need for complicated sorting.

For children’s clothing and shoes, seasonal flea markets, Kita-Flohmarkt, and neighborhood groups work well. There, items are more likely to find people who need them right away.

What happens after you drop off your items

After collection, the items are sorted. The most usable ones may end up in social projects, charity shops, or secondhand stores. Some are sold as used textiles, and the proceeds help cover transportation, sorting, facility rent, and social programs. Unsuitable materials may be sent for recycling or repurposed, but recycling textiles is challenging due to mixed fabrics, trims, finishes, and the quality of fast fashion items.

That’s why the best contribution isn’t just donating your old clothes properly, but also buying fewer impulse purchases. The higher the quality of an item and the longer it’s worn, the more benefit the entire system provides.

A quick step-by-step guide

1. Sort your items into three groups: sell/trade, donate, and dispose of.
2. Wash, dry, and pack the items that are in good condition.
3. Check your nearest Kleiderkammer, Sozialkaufhaus, charity, or Altkleidercontainer.
4. For items you’re unsure about, check the city’s website, the Abfallkalender, or contact Abfallberatung.
5. Don’t leave bags next to overflowing donation bins.

FAQ

Can you throw old clothes in the general waste (Restmüll)?

It’s best to drop off wearable clothing separately. Heavily soiled or unhygienic textiles can go in the general waste (Restmüll) if local regulations don’t provide for separate collection. The decision depends on the city.

Are all clothing donation bins for charity?

No. Some of the containers are operated by commercial collectors. Check the operator, contact information, transparency of information, and quality seals such as FairWertung or the BVSE Qualitätssiegel.

Can you donate underwear and socks?

Only clean, undamaged items—and only where the collection point allows them. If an item is heavily worn or you’re unsure about it, don’t put it in a charity drop-off bin.

What should you do if you have a lot of items?

First, check with your local organization to see if it accepts this volume. Sometimes they’ll pick up items, but this is a local service, not a unified system covering all of Germany.