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Clothes Recycling

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN THROWS OUT NEARLY SEVENTY POUNDS OF TEXTILES EACH YEAR.  OFTEN THIS FABRIC ENDS UP IN A LANDFILL WHEN IT COULD BE GIVEN A SECOND LIFE.  LEARN HOW ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

BRAGALE: AT GOODWILL, WE LIKE TO CONSIDER OURSELVES THE ORIGINAL RECYCLER. 

THAT’S CHRISTINE BRAGALE OF GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL.  SHE SAYS HER ORGANIZATION COLLECTS BILLIONS OF POUNDS OF TEXTILES ANNUALLY, RE-SELLS THEM, AND USES THE PROCEEDS TO FUND JOB-TRAINING PROGRAMS.

IF ITEMS CANNOT BE RESOLD BY A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION LIKE GOODWILL, THEY CAN BE COLLECTED BY A TEXTILE RECYCLER AND SHIPPED OVERSEAS TO BE RE-WORN, TURNED INTO INDUSTRIAL WIPES, OR SHREDDED INTO FIBER THAT CAN BE USED FOR THINGS LIKE UPHOLSTERY. 

SO NEXT TIME YOU MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT WITH A NEW OUTFIT, CONSIDER THE STATEMENT YOU’RE MAKING WITH YOUR OLD CLOTHES, TOO. 

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

Learn more about Goodwill Industries.

Learn more about textile recycling from the EPA.

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