Finding New Life for Old Clothes

People are often very confused about what to do with clothes and shoes they no longer want or need. We see evidence of that confusion in our curbside recycling carts with more and more clothing items showing up there. Textiles (and shoes) ARE reusable, but they ARE NOT recyclable in your Curb It! cart. When clothes and shoes are placed in the recycling cart, they get pulled out with other contamination at the recycling sorting facility and end up in the landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates textiles make up five percent of landfills. There are many excellent alternatives to trashing your old clothes…

Donate to Those in Need
One of the most popular and best ways to dispose of old clothing is through donation to charities. Shelters, churches, and other organizations are happy to receive clothing donations. It is a good idea to call ahead to see if your old clothes would be helpful, and often if one organization doesn’t need what you are offering at the time, they can direct you to another one who will want what you have.

Metro Waste Authority Now Partners with Goodwill
Goodwill Industries International is a nonprofit provider of education and career training for people with disadvantages or disabilities, which accepts donations of clothing and household items for resale at its 2,000 retail stores throughout the country. Metro Waste Authority now partners with Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa to accept clothing and shoes in all sizes, styles and types at two of our facilities –  Metro Park East Landfill and Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off. The drop boxes are located in the recycling areas of both facilities. Even clothing items not suitable (stained or with holes) for store resale are accepted and used as salvage material. ONLY clothing and shoes are accepted in these drop-boxes. No dumping, please!  

NOTE: Regular garbage disposal fees will apply for clothing and shoes that are part of mixed loads coming to Metro Park East Landfill.

• Get creative! A quick search of Pinterest DIY Revamp & Sew Clothes will give you great ideas on how to repurpose and breathe new life into your old stuff.
• Consign them or sell them online. Clothes that are clean and good condition are prime candidates to sell. It’s an easy way to recycle them and make a few dollars in the process. Check local consignment shops for what they accept or try selling your stuff on eBay or ShopGoodwill.com
• Swap them! Host a swap party with family and friends and ask them to bring clothing they don’t want or need that is in decent shape – it is fun and a chance to get rid of your unwanted items and go home with something new to you! OR sell them through swap groups on Facebook. These groups are popping up all over and are often named by community. So you'd be selling to your area neighbors.

No matter what green option you choose, you’ll feel better knowing that you are not contaminating the recycling facility or contributing to landfill waste.

For more information about safe, smart disposal and recycling options, visit www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 515.244.0021.