New options for reusing and recycling unwanted textiles
Finding options for recycling unwanted clothing, bedding, towels and other textiles can be a challenge for residents, especially for items that are torn, stained and otherwise unusable. Ramsey County recently partnered with Retold Recycling on a trial collection to offer residents of Roseville, White Bear Lake and Saint Paul the opportunity to drop off unwanted textiles at each city’s cleanup event.
Retold Recycling offers both mail-in and bulk collections of unwanted textiles from around the country for reuse and recycling. On average, 39% of textiles they collect are resold in thrift stores and the rest are recycled into pulp called “shotty”. The shotty is used in things like punching bag filling, insulation, car seats and cleaning rags.
Across the three trial collections, residents dropped off a total of 7,728 pounds of textiles. That’s the equivalent of diverting 483 bags from the trash or saving the energy used to charge 734,106 cell phones!
Ramsey County will continue working with cities to offer additional textile collection opportunities for residents.