Cotton recycling

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

Perhaps an odd question, but I have a whole bunch of cotton T-shirts, sheets, etc. that I want to dispose of but I hate to just throw them in the trash. Does anyone know of places that recycle items like this? The days of the rag man are long gone.

Comments

[dial-zero.livejournal.com]

Check this out! http://davis-square.livejournal.com/2031860.html#comments

I have also confirmed with Goodwill that they do take rags, but for some reason I'm a little skeptical of it.

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I obviously found it easier to post than search. Shame on me.

[dial-zero.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it, it's sometimes good to have a more up-to-date conversation. That other one was a while ago.

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that link -- the Second Chances information is great! You're right about having a more up-to-date conversation being a good idea, and I immediately wondered whether the Assembly Square bin they reference is still there. Sounds like no (unsurprisingly -- and they're looking for a new Somerville bin location) but there's up-to-date detailed information about how to donate here: http://www.secondchances.org/donateClothing.htm

[ron_newman]

Oh yes, when the last post on a subject is four years old, any new post is welcome!

[ron_newman]

I have given old T-shirts to this Joy Street Studios artist, who recycles them into handbags. Her name is Emily Worden.

(I did not buy the resulting handbags, but just let her sell them as she pleased.)

[mamabunny72.livejournal.com]

The Brown School has a "Got Books/ Recycle That" bin on the Kidder Ave side of the building. They take un-useable clothing and rags, but the last time I passed by (two weeks ago), the bin was overflowing.

[beecherbev.livejournal.com]

I'll take Tshirts and upcycle them. thanks

[ron_newman]

How can people reach you if they want to do this?

[beecherbev.livejournal.com]

I have a yahoo mail address the same as my user ID here.

[beecherbev.livejournal.com]

I love using the rags instead of paper towels too.

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

Goodwill and most charities that accept clothes will also take rags. They just resell them to manufacturers who can use them. Just ask your charity first.

Why would they lie, anyway? It would just mean more work and expense for them to take the stuff and throw it away.

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

Not to discourage you from getting rid of them--I certainly know the feeling of having more rags than I know what to do with--but I wanted to add to this thread that rags are a great replacement for paper towels (and, I hear, tissues, but I haven't taken that leap yet). About two years ago I installed a thingy meant for storing plastic bags under my sink, filled it with cut up rags, and put a plastic bin inside the cabinet for catching used ones. Cut up sheet-pieces frayed for a wash or two and then stabilized. After a couple of months we were in the habit and eliminated paper towels altogether.

Just one more alternative!

[avjudge]

I actually zigzag-stitch any woven material I've ripped up. I use tons of rags, have bins beneath each sink, and have also replaced paper towels. And sometimes tissues.

I toss dirtied ones from the first floor down the basement stairs in the general direction of the laundry. I even got my sister doing that one at her place! (When I actually go downstairs I scoop them up on the way & drop them in a bin at the bottom.)

[desiringsubject.livejournal.com]

I've been doing this for years. It was a little dicey when my washing machine was broken, but since the repair I am back on rag-track!

[laryu.livejournal.com]

There's also H&M, at least for the clothing. It can be any brand and does not need to be wearable. I haven't tried this program yet but it seems like a good resource:http://www.hm.com/us/longlivefashion

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

Animal shelters are a good bet. They're always looking for sheets to use as bedding and shirts as cleanup rags.

[siderea]

Denim? I'm looking for scrap blue jean denim for a craft project. If your stash has blue jeans, I'd be interested in taking (some of?) them off your hands.

[kelkyag]

I have a fair stash of scrap denim (retired jeans) that's not going to be used any time soon. You're welcome to raid it.

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

Are you still looking? I have a bunch of old blue jeans I'm getting rid of.