How to Dispose of Old Pillows in Australia (Without Sending Them to Landfill)

Dispose old pillows — Most old pillows can be reused, recycled or repurposed instead of going to landfill. Our team’s guide to disposing of old pillows responsibly in Australia.

Hannah on our team replaces pillows roughly every 18 months, which means a lot of pillows pass through her house. Almost none of them go to landfill — here’s the actual playbook.

Step 1: Decide if it’s reusable (Dispose old pillows)

If the pillow is clean (no stains, no smell), still has loft (passes the fold test), and is under 5 years old, it can probably be donated or repurposed. If it’s past its prime, skip to step 2.

Step 2: Donation options for usable pillows

• Animal shelters. Vinnies, RSPCA, local pounds and rescue groups all accept clean pillows for animal bedding. The most reliable single use. Call ahead — some shelters periodically have stockpiles and pause donations.
• Op shops. Most won’t take pillows for human use, but some sell them as craft / cushion stuffing.
• Homeless shelters. Some accept pillows in pristine condition. Always call first.

Step 3: Repurpose for unusable pillows

• Pet beds. Sew a sturdy fabric cover over an old pillow → a $0 dog or cat bed.
• Garden / kneeling pads. An old pillow in a strong plastic bag makes a comfortable garden kneeler.
• Outdoor furniture stuffing. Re-stuff worn outdoor cushions with pillow fill.
• Draught stoppers. A long thin pillow against a draughty door.

Step 4: Recycling routes

• Upparel. Australian textile-recycling service. They accept pillows, blankets, doonas and clothing. Mail-back ($25 for a 10 kg parcel) or drop-off at participating retailers.
• Soft Landing (NSW, VIC, WA). Primarily mattresses but also accepts bedding textiles.
• Local council. A handful of councils now run textile recycling programs. Check recyclingnearyou.com.au.

Step 5: If landfill is the only option

Compress the pillow tightly into a single bin bag — saves landfill volume. Polyester and microfibre pillows take 30–50 years to break down. Down and natural-fibre pillows decompose in 5–10 years. Wool pillows are biodegradable and can be composted (long process — months).

Australia-wide