Scouts in Maine recycled clothing (8)
I believe the answer is:
costumes
'scouts in maine recycled clothing' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'scouts in maine' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'maine' could be 'me' (abbreviation) and 'me' is found within the answer.
an anagram of 'scouts' is 'costus' which is located in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for costumes that I've seen before include "Outfits, fancy dress perhaps" , "Dresses (up)" , "ensembles" , "Clothes for stage or fancy dress balls" , "Dramatic attire" .)