We want your worn or torn clothing and textile items!

The Worn or Torn Donation Drive is collecting used clothing, cloths, sheets, towels and other textiles

Hey Byron, get ready! The Worn or Torn donation drive for old clothing and other textile items begins on July 2 and will run until July 20, 2025.

The donation drive is a partnership between the City of London, Goodwill Industries and Fanshawe College that aims to reduce unnecessary waste sent to landfill and give old textiles a second life. 

“Londoners are passionate about helping their neighbours and building a stronger, more environmentally responsible community. Worn or Torn is a great way for Byron residents to recycle old clothing and textiles while making a difference,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “I encourage everyone to get involved, help reduce landfill waste and show our commitment to a sustainable London.”

“Donating both reusable and recoverable textiles helps to keep a resource out of our landfill, supports local jobs and is a climate action that many people can take,” says Jay Stanford, Director, Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management, City of London.

Donated items will be sorted into reusable and recoverable items – reusable items will be made for purchase in Goodwill stores, while recoverable items will support various recycling initiatives, including mechanical, chemical and thermal recycling pilot projects. 

“We work with research and industry partners to take unsellable textiles and produce new products through innovations like automotive insulation, or as feedstock for commercial and industrial projects,” says Bev Kobe, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes. “Every sock, towel, and sheet donated helps power climate action. By giving textiles a second life – whether through reuse, recycling, or innovation – we’re transforming waste into opportunity and building a more sustainable London. Your donations make it possible." 

Each year, Canadians dispose of 37 kilograms or 81 pounds of clothing, with the majority of it ending up in landfill. “This is alarming,” says Jennifer Wright, professor of Fashion Design at Fanshawe College. “End-of-use clothing and textiles can be repurposed into many different products to give them a second life, diverting them from our local landfill.” s

Reusing textiles helps create local jobs, supports Londoners and contributes to the local economy.

Byron residents can donate their lightly used clothing and end-of-life textiles items at the Goodwill Donation Centre located at the Goodwill Donation Centre (1570 Oxford St. W.), located next to the City of London Oxford Street EnviroDepot. 

A list of accepted items can be found at london.ca/WornorTorn.

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Above: Photo of Jay Stanford (Director, Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management, City of London), Jennifer Wright (Professor of Fashion Design, Fanshawe College), Mayor Josh Morgan, Bev Kobe (President and CEO, Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes) and Councillor Anna Hopkins.