Clothing & Textile Collection Program

New, Gently Used and Worn
This is a full-circle program.  Your donations of new and gently used clothing and textiles, which will be reused- allow us to continue programs and recycle any worn-out/stained items we receive, turning them into usable new products. Thank you.

T-Shirt
It is estimated that nearly 85% of all clothing and textiles end up in landfills in the U.S. today. Over 32 billion  pounds of clothing is thrown out every year.  The EPA estimates that the average person throws away 70 pounds of clothing each year, and much of this is being thrown away within12 months of being made. Textile and clothing waste is the fastest growing category of waste in the U.S. waste stream and a significant problem in our country and around the globe. It is estimated that anywhere from 5 to 10% of all waste that is sent to municipal landfills is comprised of textiles. These items are often very dense and consume significant landfill space. We know that the current situation calls for us to look for a solution with ethical, responsible alternatives.  

With those statistics in mind, a need to look for new solutions,  and a goal to increase reuse and recycling, SWALCO established and offers a community-wide program where clothing and textiles can be collected for reuse and recycling. This program not only diverts items from landfills, assists our local community, but it also supports our greater environment and planet beyond.  The program will accept new, gently used, or unwanted/worn, women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and textiles. All fabrics will be accepted. Even clothes or textiles with stains or holes, along with those notorious single socks, will be accepted. The great news is nearly 95% of the materials collected will be repurposed, reused or recycled. 

The program continues to grow. Please view our list of accepted items and drop off locations and find out if one is coming soon to your community and neighborhood!  You may also wish to view our Reuse-A-Shoe-Program pages to find out locations where you can drop-off shoes through this separate, but companion program.. Some sites may offer either one or both programs.  

We hope you'll join us to make positive changes for our local community and our planet, and support these efforts. 
Thank you.