You’ve just taken down your old blinds. They’re sitting in a pile on your floor, and you’re wondering: do these go in the trash? Can I recycle old blinds? Is there a better option?
Most people don’t think about window treatment disposal until they’re holding old blinds with no idea what to do. The answer isn’t simple because blinds and curtains use different materials that need different handling. Some can be recycled, some donated, and some need special disposal. Let’s walk through your options for disposing of old window treatments responsibly.
What Window Treatments Can Be Donated?
Donate curtains and blinds that are still in good condition. Many organizations accept gently used window treatments and give them new life.
Top Window Treatment Donation Options
1. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
ReStore locations typically accept:
- Blinds and shades in working condition
- Curtains and drapes without stains or damage
- Curtain rods and hardware
- Valances and cornices
They look for clean, functional window treatments with all parts working. Standard sizes are easier to place than custom sizes. Call your local ReStore before dropping off.
2. Thrift stores
Goodwill and Salvation Army accept fabric curtains and drapes. They want:
- Clean curtains without stains, tears, or fading
- Matching pairs or sets
- Curtain rods and decorative hardware
Most don’t accept blinds due to space and display limitations.
3. Local shelters
Homeless shelters, women’s shelters, and refugee resettlement programs often need window treatments. Call ahead to ask about specific needs. They may accept items thrift stores won’t. Curtains are usually easier to place than blinds.
4. Online platforms
Freecycle, Buy Nothing groups, and Craigslist free section let you post photos with measurements and condition details. Someone doing a rental property or budget renovation might want them. Pickup from your home means no hauling. Be honest about conditions.
Where can I recycle old blinds near me?
Recycling blinds isn’t as simple as tossing them in your curbside bin. Most curbside programs don’t accept blinds because they contain mixed materials, metal parts, and sizes that jam sorting equipment.
Start by calling your local waste management company. Ask specifically about:
- Metal blinds (aluminum or steel)
- Vinyl blinds (PVC plastic)
- Wood blinds (real wood or faux wood)
- Fabric shades and curtains
Some areas have special drop-off days for bulky items. Others partner with facilities that accept window treatments.
Scrap metal yards accept metal components
If your blinds have metal parts, you can often recycle those separately. Remove cords, plastic pieces, and brackets. Take the metal slats and headrail to a scrap metal yard. Most pay by weight for aluminum. Call ahead to confirm they accept window treatment materials.
Aluminum blinds are highly recyclable. Aluminum is one of the most valuable recycling materials and can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality.
Specialized recycling programs
TerraCycle programs accept hard-to-recycle materials through mail-in programs. Check their website for current window treatment acceptance. May require shipping costs.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept usable building materials including window treatments. They’ll recycle or repurpose materials they can’t sell. Locations vary by area. Call ahead to confirm acceptance.
How to prepare old blinds for disposal or recycling?
Before you recycle old blinds, break them down properly. This makes recycling easier and increases acceptance chances.
Taking down blinds safely
First, remove the blinds from your windows. Our guide on how to take down blinds walks through the process:
- Raise the blind fully to the top
- Locate the mounting brackets at each end of the headrail
- Push up on the front of the headrail while pulling forward
- The headrail should release from the brackets
- Remove the mounting brackets from the window frame
Important: Never submerge blinds or shades in water during cleaning or preparation. This applies to all types including blackout, motorized, and light filtering options. Water damages the structure and makes recycling impossible.
Separating materials for recycling
Once blinds are down, separate components by material type:
Metal components: Headrail, bottom rail, metal slats, brackets, mounting hardware, screws
Plastic components: Vinyl or faux wood slats, plastic cord locks and mechanisms, end caps
Fabric and cords: Lift cords, tilt cords, fabric tapes or ladders, any fabric elements
Metal parts go to scrap metal recycling. Plastic parts need local recycling rules checked (many can’t process mixed plastics). Cords and fabric usually go to trash unless you find textile recycling.
Which blind materials are recyclable?
Understanding what your blinds are made of determines disposal options. Are blinds recyclable? The answer depends entirely on materials.
Material breakdown
Aluminum blinds (most recyclable):
- Highly valuable recycling material
- Can be recycled indefinitely
- Remove all cords, plastic components, and fabric tapes
- Take to scrap metal facility
- Some pay for aluminum by weight
Vinyl blinds (difficult to recycle):
- Made from PVC plastic
- Most programs don’t accept them
- Requires specialized facilities
- Check if your area has a PVC program
- Usually end up in landfill
Wood blinds:
- Real wood can sometimes be recycled with wood waste
- Remove all metal hardware and cords first
- Painted or stained wood may not be accepted
- Faux wood blinds are composite materials (wood particles and plastic)
- Very difficult to recycle due to mixed materials
Fabric shades and curtains:
- For curtains in good condition: donate to thrift stores
- For worn curtains: cut into cleaning rags or use textile recycling bins
- Some municipalities have textile recycling programs
- Animal shelters sometimes use fabric scraps
Cellular shades:
- Combine fabric, adhesive, and sometimes mylar backing
- Honeycomb structure makes separation difficult
- Metal headrails and brackets can be recycled separately
- Fabric portion usually goes to landfill
Motorized components:
- Remove rechargeable batteries before disposal
- Take batteries to battery recycling locations
- Many retailers (Best Buy, Home Depot) have battery programs
- E-waste recycling programs accept small motors
Creative ways to repurpose old window treatments
Before disposing of old blinds, consider whether they could serve another purpose. Repurposing keeps materials out of landfills.
Practical repurposing ideas
Aluminum blinds:
- Cut into plant markers for gardens
- Use as reflective strips to deter birds
- Create wind chimes or outdoor decorations
- Make stakes for supporting plants
Vinyl blinds:
- Cut into strips for heavy-duty plant ties
- Use in garage or workshop for covering shelves
- Create privacy screens for outdoor areas
- Line the bottom of planters for drainage
Workshop applications:
- Cover workshop windows for privacy
- Protect windows during painting or construction
- Create temporary partitions in storage areas
- Cover shelving to keep dust off stored items
Curtain fabric:
- Sew into reusable shopping bags
- Create throw pillow covers
- Make fabric storage bins
- Cut into cleaning rags
Community donations:
- Schools and daycares use blind slats for craft projects
- Drama departments use curtains for costumes or sets
- Animal shelters use fabric curtains for bedding
- Community theaters use old curtains for props or backdrops
When to replace vs repair your current window treatments?
Sometimes you don’t need to dispose of your blinds at all. Understanding when repair makes sense saves money and reduces waste.
Repairable issues
Broken lift cords: Replacement cords are available online. Many blind repair services can restring blinds. DIY repair is possible with mechanical skill.
Bent or broken slats: Individual slats can often be replaced. Our guide on how to shorten blinds shows how to remove and replace slats.
Broken tilt mechanisms: Tilt wands and mechanisms can be replaced. Often just a plastic gear that’s broken. Repair kits available for common blind types.
Signs it’s time to replace
Beyond repair: Multiple broken slats throughout the blind, warped or damaged headrail, corrosion on metal components, or fabric that’s deteriorated.
Safety concerns: Old corded blinds in homes with children or pets should be replaced. Traditional corded products were banned in the USA and Canada on June 1, 2024, by the Window Covering Manufacturing Association.
When replacement makes sense: Blinds are more than 10 years old, multiple components need repair, you want to upgrade features (motorization, better insulation), or new blinds would significantly improve energy efficiency.
Disposing of old blinds responsibly takes extra effort, but it makes a real difference. Recycling blinds keeps valuable materials out of landfills and reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing new products.
We’ve been handcrafting custom window treatments for over 25 years. When you’re ready to replace those old blinds, we’ll help you choose window treatments that last for years. We back everything with our industry-leading 30-day satisfaction guarantee, which covers free product exchanges for any reason, up to four windows per household.
Order up to 15 free samples to see fabrics and materials in your own space. Our family of window treatment experts is here at (877) 702-5463 or text (858) 550-4750. Ready to upgrade your windows? Browse our collection of custom blinds and shades to find options that will serve you well for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, most curbside programs don’t accept blinds due to mixed materials and size. Check with your local waste management first, but you’ll likely need a specialized facility or scrap metal yard after separating components.
Remove metal components like brackets for scrap metal recycling. Plastic and vinyl slats need special recycling centers that accept mixed plastics. Most municipalities don’t recycle these through curbside programs.
Check for working mechanisms, minimal wear, and standard sizing. Most donation centers prefer blinds in good condition with all parts intact. Clean them thoroughly, test all functions, and ensure cords aren’t frayed.
If curtains are in good condition, donate curtains to thrift stores or shelters. For worn curtains, look for textile recycling programs at retailers. You can also cut them into cleaning rags or donate fabric scraps to animal shelters.
Yes, remove rechargeable batteries before disposal and take them to battery recycling locations. Many retailers have battery recycling programs. Take motors and electronic components to e-waste recycling. Never put electronics in regular trash.