(Town of Lincoln, NY – Nov. 2014) As part of America Recycles Day 2014, Madison County Dept. of Solid Waste Joins Statewide Campaign to Keep Clothing and Textiles Out of the Trash.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, New York State residents dispose of some 1.4 billion pounds of clothing and textiles annually in landfills and waste combustors with a market value exceeding $200 million dollars.
As part of America Recycles Day, Nov. 15, the Madison County Dept. of Solid Waste has joined a statewide campaign to remind residents to donate and recycle all unwanted clothing, footwear, and other textiles, such as sheets, towels, tablecloths, even underwear and single socks.
Madison County Solid Waste Director, James Zecca, said “We want everyone to stop putting clothing into the trash – even if it’s ripped, missing buttons, has a broken zipper, or is slightly stained — and start sending all unwanted clothing and other textiles into the reuse/recycling stream.”
Madison County has had a textile recycling program since 1992. Madison County residents can place textiles in a sealed, clear plastic bag and set it out next to or on top of the recycling bin for curbside pick-up. Residents who do not use a trash hauler may bring textiles to their local transfer station and place them in the donation bin. Residents may find other nearby collection locations by visiting www.NYTextiles.org.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American throws away 70 pounds of clothing per year. In its 2011 study of Municipal Solid Waste, the U.S. EPA has calculated the impact the current level of recycling has on Greenhouse Gases in the United States. The EPA report indicates that 2 million tons of textiles are currently recycled annually; this is the equivalent of removing 1 million cars from America’s highways. This is more than 5-times the impact of recycled yard trimmings (170 thousand cars removed); is more than 4-times the impact of glass recycling (210 thousand cars removed); more than plastic recycling (640 thousand cars removed); and is nearly equal to the impact of aluminum recycling (1.3 million cars removed).
For additional information about recycling in Madison County, residents can call the recycling hotline at 1-800-721-2208 or visit http://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/solid-waste/home. For general information about the state-wide textile recovery program, including textile drop off locations, visit www.NYTextiles.org.