In addition to Textile Recycling,
Over 1.4 Million lbs Collected
Since 2007
The average New Yorker tosses 46 pounds of clothing and textiles in the trash each year, totaling 6% of our entire residential waste stream. But with your help, landfills are going on a diet. More than 80,000 New Yorkers have helped NYC lose 1.4 million pounds by recycling unwanted clothing, linens, paired shoes, bags and more through GrowNYC's textile recycling initiative.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why a textile recycling program?
5.7% of NYCs residential waste stream consists of textiles like clothing and towels. All told, New Yorkers discard 193,000 tons of textiles every year in NYC, at a cost to taxpayers and our environment.
Where and when can I recycle my textiles?
Textiles can be dropped off weekly at 17 select Greenmarkets: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 97th St, 57th St, 82nd St, Abingdon Square, Brooklyn Borough Hall, Fort Greene, Grand Army Plaza, Inwood, McCarren Park, Tribeca, Union Square (Mon & Sat only), Carroll Gardens, Columbia University, Cortelyou, Jackson Heights and Tompkins Square . Click here for the full schedule and location information.
What items are accepted?
Our collections accept clean and dry clothing, paired shoes, bedding, linens, hats, handbags, belts, fabric scraps 36" x 36" or larger and other textiles. We do not accept rugs or carpeting.
What happens to materials donated?
Materials are sorted into different grades including usable/non
usable, cotton scrap, cotton blend scrap and synthetics. These commodities are then sold for reuse as clothing, linens, etc or to recycling markets that turn materials into wiping rags, fiber for car seats and insulation.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes! Your contribution to the program directly benefits Council on the Environment, Inc. d/b/a GrowNYC.
What if I can't make it to these collections?
If you are unable to attend our weekly collections and have several bags of material, contact Wearable Collections at 646-515-4387 or info (at) wearablecollections.com to see if you are eligible for a home pick-up. Large apartment buildings can sign up for an in-building program through Wearable Collections or RefashioNYC.
Can my business bring items to the drop-off sites?
NYC law requires businesses to recycle textiles if they comprise more than 10% of the company's total waste stream. Visit NYCWasteLess to find a vendor.
