Coat Hangers (Plastic) | Recyclist Mothership Alpha

Plastic Hangers Are Not Recyclable

Most plastic hangers are made up of multiple types of plastic, which makes them difficult to recycle. If you are not sure whether a hanger is recyclable, it is safer to throw it away. Otherwise it could contaminate your recycling stream and present difficulties for the recycling facility.

Ways to Reduce

Don’t Bring Plastic Hangers Home

You can help to reduce the use of plastic hangers by not bringing any home from shopping trips, even if the store employee offers them to you.

Ways to Reuse

Donate or Give Away

Hang clothing on unwanted hangers when donating to thrift stores. Many will accept the hangers this way, though some will accept them individually as well. You can also give hangers away on Craigslist or Freecycle.

Did You Know?

The Health Hazards of Plastic Hangers

Since plastic hangers tend to be made of different and mixed plastics, including plastic #6 and plastic #7, they are difficult to recycle. Plastic hangers typically wind up in landfills, where they leach toxic chemicals such as benzene and BPA into the environment.

The Most Eco-Friendly Hanger

Which clothes hanger is the most eco-friendly? No hanger is easy to recycle, because most are made of multiple types of materials. However, wood hangers tend to last the longest, which makes them an ideal investment. Wire hangers tend to lose their shape, and plastic hangers often break.