Recycling Extravaganzas Accept Tattered Textiles
Have you worn your favorite jeans past the point where the holes can be considered fashionable? Perhaps you spilled red wine on your favorite shirt and you can’t seem to bleach it out. Free up some space in our ever-growing landfills and bring your old clothes, and chemical-free rags to certain DuPage County Recycling Extravaganzas starting this month.
On April 21, Wheaton will be the first Extravaganza host to feature this service called the “Goodwill specialized Collection,” by event organizer SCARCE.
Normally, when you donate to an Illinois Goodwill they will only keep clothing in good condition without stains or holes and then sell the leftovers to be used in the production of rags. Now, rejected clothing will be repurposed into carpeting, insulation, and cushion padding. Just don’t bring in your cleaning rags with chemical residue—these items won’t be accepted.
Almost 10% of waste dumped in an Illinois landfill is textiles, according to a 2009 study commissioned by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Donating clothes has always been a reliable option for freeing up landfill space, but having a true textile recycling option tied to an already popular recycling event will help even more.
Check the dates for Extravaganzas in your town:
April 14 – Elmhurst
April 21 – Wheaton, Carol Stream, Hinsdale
April 28 – Glendale Heights, Lisle, Arlington Heights, Glen Ellyn
