Textile recycling program in Queen Creek town of Arizona

24 Jul '12

3 min read

The Town of Queen Creek, in conjunction with United Fibers, Phoenix Fibers and Bonded Logic, is proud to be a part of North America’s first municipal curbside clothing recycling initiative. Nearly 7,000 residents will participate in this innovative pilot program starting in late August. After running a successful six-week test program in the Sun Lakes neighborhood of Chandler, United Fibers will now expand the program to include an entire municipality.

Queen Creek residents will be able to recycle materials like clothing, towels, sheets, blankets, and shoes simply by putting them into a special bag that can be placed into their regular curbside recycling bin. Special textile bags will be mailed, along with instructions, to residents taking part in the Town's trash and recycling services. If this program is a success, it will become a permanent part of the Town of Queen Creek’s waste disposal services.

Only textiles placed in the blue bag within Queen Creek’s recycling bins will be recycled. Any textiles placed loose in the can will have to be thrown away.

After sorting, weighing, and processing the bags of textiles, appropriate materials will be used to manufacture eco-friendly, 100% post-consumer home insulation. So the benefits to our environment are truly exponential.

Approximately 12 million tons of textile waste is generated each year in North America, amounting to about 68 lbs. of textile waste per household. According to the EPA, 5% of all landfill production is textile waste.

This recycling program helps the community as well as the environment. For every pound of clothing and textiles collected, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Queen Creek will receive revenue support for their many offered programs.

“This is a major next step in recycling, and has the synergy to make a real impact,” says Larry Williams, Marketing Director of United Fibers. “The Town of Queen Creek earns back payment on the tonnage, and that helps pay for waste disposal and Boys & Girls Club of Queen Creek services, and it keeps rates down for residents. Recycling, innovation, charity. Everyone wins!”

"Offering this type of recycling program is an exciting addition to Queen Creek's current services,” Mayor Gail Barney. “We’re proud to be the first municipality in Arizona to offer curbside textile recycling, leading the way towards a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. And helping the Boys & Girls Club of Queen Creek is a big boost."

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