Most of us try to recycle what we can: our plastic bottles, aluminum cans, newspapers, and cardboard. In many states and municipalities across the U.S., recycling these materials is not only encouraged but often mandated. And that's a good thing—our landfills are filling up fast, and nobody wants a new landfill built in their backyard.
However, did you know that textile waste—such as clothing, shoes, and linens—is poorly managed in the U.S. and is becoming a growing problem? The Council for Textile Recycling and the EPA both estimate that only about 15-16% of all usable clothing is being recycled. The rest ends up in landfills. In our backyards.
Textile recycling has not kept up with other recycling programs, and we have a long way to go to make this more manageable. Companies like Friendship Used Clothing Collection are part of the solution. By partnering with non-profits to help manage their overflowing donations, as well as collecting directly from the public, we are making a difference in our communities and helping address this growing environmental challenge.
Benefits of Donating Your Used Clothing and Shoes