Guest guest Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 Received this from my local Freecycle group.? Thougt it may interest some. Earth Talk: How to recycle worn-out clothes How or where can I recycle clothes that are too old or worn out for Goodwill? - Tim Cheplick, Perrineville, N.J. Just because that old shirt you used to love is too threadbare to wear doesn't mean it has to end up in a landfill. " Consumers don't understand that there's a place for their old clothing even if something is missing a button or torn, " said Jana Hawley, a professor of textile and apparel management at the University of Missouri-Columbia. " Ninety-nine percent of used textiles are recyclable. " Nonprofits such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army play a crucial role in keeping old clothes out of the waste stream. When they get donations of clothes too threadbare to re-sell, they send them to " rag sorters " that specialize in recycling fabric. Hawley says these textile recyclers sell about half the clothing they get back overseas in developing countries, while unusable garments, especially cotton T-shirts, are turned into wiping and polishing cloths. Other textiles are shredded into fibers for new products, such as sound-deadening materials for the automotive industry, archival-quality paper, blankets and even plastic fencing. Outdoor clothing and gear maker Patagonia, which plies a strong environmental mandate in key aspects of its operations (from sourcing of raw materials to managing waste to making grants to environmental nonprofits), in 2005 launched its innovative Common Threads Garment Recycling program. The program was originally begun so customers could return their worn out long undies for recycling, but has expanded to taking back Patagonia fleece and cotton t-shirts. Consumers wanting to unload items that meet the program's criteria can do so at any Patagonia store or by mailing them into the company's Reno, Nev., service center. Useful for quilts, crafts Do-it-yourselfers can turn old clothes into new creations such as quilts, handbags and smaller items. The Web site Expert Village, which claims to have the largest online collection of " how-to " videos, offers a free series called " How to Recycle Old Clothes into New Fashions. " Another good use for threadbare clothes (as well as sheets and towels) is pet bedding, whether in your own home or donated to an animal shelter. According to the non-profit Institute for Local Self-Reliance, textiles make up about 4 percent of the weight and 8 percent of the volume of all U.S. municipal solid waste. The commercial recycling company U'SAgain - which runs private for-profit recycling services - finds 85 percent of the 70 pounds of textiles the average American buys each year ends up landfilled. That means the typical U.S. city with 50,000 residents has to pay (with local tax dollars) for the handling and disposal of some 3,000 tons of textiles every year. The shame of such waste is that textiles are so easy to recycle or reuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 i know there used to be groups in my area that made paper from fabric pulp. and many things that are too worn out for wear, can be used for cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 I found this a very interesting article to read. I have been turning my old towels into cleaning rags for years. Two of my neighbor friends sew so when I have clothes too old for wear, I give them to them, they take buttons and zippers that are good and it saves them money. They have made pot holders, tote bags, and aprons out of scrap materials. They sell them at various bazaars,fairs and what have you. They are cute and they have people asking for lol Nice little income for two retired ladys. I guess we have been recycling for years and didn't really realize it. Now, if I could make them become vegetarian, that would be awesome!! Jeannie TendrMoon wrote: Received this from my local Freecycle group.? Thougt it may interest some. Earth Talk: How to recycle worn-out clothes How or where can I recycle clothes that are too old or worn out for Goodwill? - Tim Cheplick, Perrineville, N.J. Just because that old shirt you used to love is too threadbare to wear doesn't mean it has to end up in a landfill. " Consumers don't understand that there's a place for their old clothing even if something is missing a button or torn, " said Jana Hawley, a professor of textile and apparel management at the University of Missouri-Columbia. " Ninety-nine percent of used textiles are recyclable. " Nonprofits such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army play a crucial role in keeping old clothes out of the waste stream. When they get donations of clothes too threadbare to re-sell, they send them to " rag sorters " that specialize in recycling fabric. Hawley says these textile recyclers sell about half the clothing they get back overseas in developing countries, while unusable garments, especially cotton T-shirts, are turned into wiping and polishing cloths. Other textiles are shredded into fibers for new products, such as sound-deadening materials for the automotive industry, archival-quality paper, blankets and even plastic fencing. Outdoor clothing and gear maker Patagonia, which plies a strong environmental mandate in key aspects of its operations (from sourcing of raw materials to managing waste to making grants to environmental nonprofits), in 2005 launched its innovative Common Threads Garment Recycling program. The program was originally begun so customers could return their worn out long undies for recycling, but has expanded to taking back Patagonia fleece and cotton t-shirts. Consumers wanting to unload items that meet the program's criteria can do so at any Patagonia store or by mailing them into the company's Reno, Nev., service center. Useful for quilts, crafts Do-it-yourselfers can turn old clothes into new creations such as quilts, handbags and smaller items. The Web site Expert Village, which claims to have the largest online collection of " how-to " videos, offers a free series called " How to Recycle Old Clothes into New Fashions. " Another good use for threadbare clothes (as well as sheets and towels) is pet bedding, whether in your own home or donated to an animal shelter. According to the non-profit Institute for Local Self-Reliance, textiles make up about 4 percent of the weight and 8 percent of the volume of all U.S. municipal solid waste. The commercial recycling company U'SAgain - which runs private for-profit recycling services - finds 85 percent of the 70 pounds of textiles the average American buys each year ends up landfilled. That means the typical U.S. city with 50,000 residents has to pay (with local tax dollars) for the handling and disposal of some 3,000 tons of textiles every year. The shame of such waste is that textiles are so easy to recycle or reuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 I am not sure where the author lives, but we have neither Goodwill nor Salvation Army here in our area. Our local charitable organizations repeatedly have told us that if the garment is not wearable, they have to send it to the landfill. We are 300 miles from the nearest large city and it is probably not cost effective to send things to the San Francisco Bay Area. I try to donate anything that can be worn to my local charity [st Vincent de Paul provides the most serious donations to the poor in my area with no religious tests]. I knit old t-shirts, turtlenecks, sheets, shirts, etc into bathroom rugs. Many folks make quilts out of old denim jeans. Kathleen Eureka CA How to recycle worn-out clothes How or where can I recycle clothes that are too old or worn out for Goodwill?- Tim Cheplick, Perrineville, N.J. Just because that old shirt you used to love is too threadbare to wear doesn't mean it has to end up in a landfill. " Consumers don't understand that there's a place for their old clothing even if something is missing a button or torn, " said Jana Hawley, a professor of textile and apparel management at the University of Missouri-Columbia. " Ninety-nine percent of used textiles are recyclable. " Nonprofits such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army play a crucial role in keeping old clothes out of the waste stream. When they get donations of clothes too threadbare to re- sell, they send them to " rag sorters " that specialize in recycling fabric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2008 Report Share Posted April 6, 2008 We have that situation here too. The closest goodwill or salvation army is 130 miles away. We have one church that does take items but they always let people know that if they are no good they go to the landfill. I am sure they know nothing of sending them to be recycled. I will look into that and see if they are interested. If nothing else, it could be usefull for me to know as I have 5 children and my sister has 3. All of our younger kids wear clothes from the older kids until they are just no longer wearable. This was great info. Thanks a bunch, Jenn " Kathleen M. Pelley " <kmpelley wrote: I am not sure where the author lives, but we have neither Goodwill nor Salvation Army here in our area. Our local charitable organizations repeatedly have told us that if the garment is not wearable, they have to send it to the landfill. We are 300 miles from the nearest large city and it is probably not cost effective to send things to the San Francisco Bay Area. I try to donate anything that can be worn to my local charity [st Vincent de Paul provides the most serious donations to the poor in my area with no religious tests]. I knit old t-shirts, turtlenecks, sheets, shirts, etc into bathroom rugs. Many folks make quilts out of old denim jeans. Kathleen Eureka CA How to recycle worn-out clothes How or where can I recycle clothes that are too old or worn out for Goodwill?- Tim Cheplick, Perrineville, N.J. Just because that old shirt you used to love is too threadbare to wear doesn't mean it has to end up in a landfill. " Consumers don't understand that there's a place for their old clothing even if something is missing a button or torn, " said Jana Hawley, a professor of textile and apparel management at the University of Missouri-Columbia. " Ninety-nine percent of used textiles are recyclable. " Nonprofits such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army play a crucial role in keeping old clothes out of the waste stream. When they get donations of clothes too threadbare to re- sell, they send them to " rag sorters " that specialize in recycling fabric. http://tartsgalore.com/store/affiliate.asp?aff=28 http://www.tagged.com/jparryluvshersldr http://www.myspace.com/onangelwingz http://chiccandy.wahmweb.com/store/aGo.asp?aff=27 You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2008 Report Share Posted April 7, 2008 I use my kids clothes to make quilts for them. I had never done it before but I bought a book and went for it. Now all the kids have quilts. I also quilted a few pillowss for them. For clothes that are still wearable, I call the salvation army and they come and pick it up. AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2008 Report Share Posted April 7, 2008 With 7 kids we do a lot of hand me downs! Most of the jeans are kneeless and have holes in the backside if they make through the first 3 boys! Does anyone remember toughskins? My mom used to buy those for my brothers. They were nearly indestrucible! The quilt is a great idea becuase my daughter has some really pretty dresses. I did make a patchwork pillow out of 2 of her dresses. Stephanie in NV - " AJ " <coolcook Monday, April 07, 2008 9:04 AM Re: Recycling Worn Out Clothing OT >I use my kids clothes to make quilts for them. I had never done it before >but I bought a book and went for it. Now all the kids have quilts. I also >quilted a few pillowss for them. > For clothes that are still wearable, I call the salvation army and they > come and pick it up. > > AJ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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