On a day normally devoted to red hearts and pink cupids, let’s talk about a partnering that yields an easy green and good action-Textile Recycling. The recycling coordinator for Delaware County, Pennsylvania values the importance of working with Community Recycling to encourage textile recycling and reuse while lessening landfill usage. By aligning forces, the residents have an easy option for gently used clothes, shoes, bags and related accessories.
The planet is a bit greener as landfills steer clear of these very reusable materials. The boroughs that participate earn monthly funds to support more recycling efforts right here in their respective communities. It’s a triple win!
Curbside textile recycling has always been a tough nut to crack. Sue Cordes, Recycling Coordinator saw the ease and convenience of Community Recycling’s bin program and jumped to put it to use.
“The new program offers convenient textile recycling bins right at our recycling centers,” said Cordes. “Our community residents want to do the right thing. By making it easy and local, the residents can drop off their clothes, shoes and other gently used things on their time and in their way.”
“Pulling clothes, shoes, bags and belts that are perfectly reusable from the waste stream and putting them in the hands of those that cannot afford brand new is an easy way to reduce waste and increase diversion," said Lisa Pomerantz, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Community Recycling.
Community Recycling is proud to be a for-profit recycler of textiles. They have flipped the recycling triangle upside down and have mastered the most powerful ‘R,’ REUSE, with all of the clothing collected destined for reuse by those in need of affordable options. With more than 70% of the world’s population dependent on second-hand goods, reusing the extra ‘stuff’ we all have makes great sense.
"We work with municipalities, cities and private haulers in ways to customize a textile recycling program that works,” said Pomerantz. “Whether it be curbside pickup which we offer, or our bin program, our goal is to connect the dots between the usable things that you have but no longer use, and the people who need them.”
“The more our residents embrace REUSE, the better off our county will be,” continued Cordes. Having a consistent textile collection program in place lets us educate our community about reuse and landfill diversion. I hope all of our boroughs come on board.”
Currently, you can drop off your gently used, reusable and clean textiles at the following Recycling Centers:
-Haverford Township Police Recycling Center
- Merry Place Park Recycling Center
- Swarthmore Borough Recycling Center
- Marcus Hook Borough Recycling Center
-Folcroft Borough Recycling Center
Any local businesses or schools in the area that would be interested in hosting a bin should feel free to contact bins (at) community recycling (dot) biz. Convenience certainly plays a large role in a successful textile-recycling program.
Today, Community Recycling works with communities, cities, towns, private haulers, individuals, schools, organizations, non-profits, retailers, thrifts and big corporations all over the country. All the textiles collected have journeyed to points around the globe where affordable, gently used options are most needed.
