Hennepin County, Minn., Ends Textile Recycling Program

SEATTLE (Waste 360): Hennepin County, Minn., just ended the recycling program for clothing and other textiles that it started in 2016 because the county couldn’t find an end market vendor to ensure materials were being recycled.

Now, according to a MinnPost report, the county’s waste reduction and recycling supervisor is urging people to buy less new clothing. The report notes that in 2017, textiles—including clothes, belts, handbags, draperies, bedding and other things made of fabric—comprised 6.3 percent of U.S. waste. It also notes that between 2000 and 2017, textiles in landfills grew from 6.28 million tons to 11.15 million tons.

The problem, in part, is due to newer, thinner and cheaper fabrics, and recycling vendors have made it clear they want usable clothing. The reports also notes that the textile recycling program in St. Paul, Minn., is also experiencing the same type of problem.

Courtesy: www.waste360.com