Coat Hangers (Wood) Trash Consider DonationIf the hanger is still usable, please donate. Visit Athens’ Material Reuse page for ideas. Wooden hangers are not recyclable or compostableHangers can get tangled in the recycling facility sorting equipment, which causes damage and reduces efficiency. A wooden hanger does not contain enough metal to make it desirable for recycling. The wood is usually coated with chemicals rendering it non-compostable. 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 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.