What to Do with Old Plastic Hangers

October 24, 2024

Have you ever wondered what to do with old plastic hangers? You are not alone. Old plastic hangers are in abundance, with almost every household and retail store having some in excess. This is especially true for retail stores that have countless clothing items on display!  

 

Why Not Just Throw Them in the Trash?

Throwing your old plastic hangers in the trash can is the worst way to clear out your closet or retail store. It contributes to plastic waste, which is already a huge issue in the world. Plastic is not biodegradable, so it’s always better to recycle, upcycle, or pass them on to someone else. 

 

Now that we have established why you shouldn’t throw your old plastic hangers in the trash, here are some options for what you should do with them instead. Make your choice! 

 

Donate Them to Charity 

There are plenty of awesome charity organizations that are happy to take your old plastic hangers. Check out charities in your local area, such as charity stores or clubs. If they don’t need any, try contacting online charities to see if they could use them. Many charities that deal with clothes will find a use for them, for example, help the homeless organizations.  

Once you’ve given your old hangers to charity, check out some quality wooden hangers to display your clothes. 

 

Recycle Them 

Head to your local recycling center to recycle plastic hangers. Not sure if you have hangers recyclable? Look for your local recycling number and then call them to see if they recycle your type of plastic. Some retail stores even have recycling programs where they convince each store to recycle everything, including hangers. You could also invest in a recycle bin to make the recycling process even easier. 

 

Check out scrap metal recyclers, too, as they might accept wire hangers if you also have those knocking around. 

 

Take Them to Thrift Stores 

Thrift stores are always on the lookout for plastic hangers. They have to display loads of clothes, after all. So, head down to one of your favorite thrift stores and talk to a sales clerk to see if they’re willing to take yours off your hands. 

 

Give Them to a Friend 

Do you have a friend that needs a couple of extra hangers? Ask around to see. You never know, you might know someone who has just bought a new summer wardrobe and needs a few more hangers to store their clothes properly. Knowing that someone will use your old items is always a good feeling. 

 

Take Them to a Retail Store 

Another place that is likely to need some extra plastic hangers is a retail store. While many stores will have uniformed hangers, some newer retail stores might be happy to take what they can get! Look around your area to see if any up-and-coming retail stores need a couple of extra hangers – you might just help them get their business off the ground. 

 

Give Them to a Dry Cleaner 

Your local dry cleaners might also need some extra hangers, especially if they often hand them out. It’s better to check, especially if you have an excellent dry cleaner who always gets your clothes perfectly pristine. They are sure to be appreciative of the offer! 

 

Allow Customers to Take Them 

If you have a retail store and you have far too many old plastic hangers, instead of letting them go to waste, offer them to customers. Some retail stores do this - some don’t. It could be an easy way to get rid of them while making your customers a little more satisfied. Sometimes, it’s nice to go home with a suitable hanger for your new item of clothing! 

 

Use Them to Hang Laundry 

Are your old plastic hangers too battered to display clothes nicely? That doesn’t mean you have to recycle them or give them away, as you can use them for something else – hanging laundry. 

 

You don’t need your hanging laundry to look picture-perfect, so as long as your hangers can hold clothes, they should be fine to hold your damp clothes while they air off. 

 

Upcycle Them 

Both plastic and metal hangers are easy to upcycle, so if you have some old ones lying around, why not get creative and make something new? You don’t have to be the craftiest person in the world to turn them into another item! Some ideas for upcycling your old clothes hangers include: 

 

  • A Scarf Organizer 
  • A Ribbon Holder
  • A Picture Frame Hanger 
  • A Hat Holder 
  • A Dish Rack 

 

Look online for some more upcycling inspiration for your old hangers. You might create something you want to keep forever!

Store Them Away for When You Need Them 

Are your old plastic hangers really that old, or could you use them in the future? If you have just had a wardrobe declutter, the chances are you will fill your wardrobe up again with fresh new clothes before long. In that case, you will want some hangers to store your new clothes properly, and you might regret throwing your old hangers away. 

 

If there’s a chance you might need your hangers in the future, consider storing them away until you need them. 

 

Buying New Hangers 

It makes sense to replace your old plastic hangers with higher-quality ones that will stand the test of time. You might also want ones in a different type of material, such as cloth hangers or wooden hangers. 

 

We have an excellent range of hangers for any type of clothing, from shorts to dresses. Check out our range of recycled hangers, too, to reduce your carbon footprint even further. Whether you want to spruce up your wardrobe or your retail store, our hangers are sure to help with that. 

 

Hopefully, this list answers your question - what to do with old plastic hangers? As you can see, you have plenty of options, from recycling them to giving them a new life at a thrift store.