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Did you know Californians throw 1.2 million tons of textiles into the landfill a year?
In response to this growing waste problem, on Saturday, January 31st, the City's Materials Management Bureau hosted our first-ever textile recycling event, inviting residents to bring unwanted textiles to be recycled or remade. Funded by a CalRecycle grant and hosted in partnership with SUAY, a closed-loop recycling company in Los Angeles, the event took place at three convenient locations throughout the city: Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, and El Dorado Park West.
The event was scheduled from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., but capacity was reached at 12:30 p.m.! Over 330 residents brought over 6,000 pounds of unwanted clothing, towels, and light blankets, which were collected and transported by SUAY to be recycled or remade, diverting them from landfills.
Residents shared their enthusiasm, noting they had been holding onto their unwanted textiles and were happy about having an accessible and responsible disposal option. Overall, for a first-time event, the City successfully provided a convenient and responsible way for residents to recycle their textiles!
The event sparked conversations about being more conscious when purchasing clothing in the first place. Choosing durable, repairable, and sustainably made items can reduce waste long before recycling is needed.
To learn more about textile recycling in California, click the link below:
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