George Leck & Son brings curbside textile recycling

The environmental benefits from textile recycling are significant. Reusing and re-wearing saves water, reduces energy usage, cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions, and helps to prevent air, water and solid-waste pollution.

The EPA estimates that every person in the US disposes of about 70 lbs. of usable and re-wearable textiles each year. Items such as shoes, clothes and bags are very dense and take up a lot of space in the landfill landscape. Despite the growing green movement, most people in the US are unaware that textiles can be recycled, creating local economies and jobs both here and abroad.

“In conventional reuse, items are used again just as they are. A shirt is a shirt, a pair of shoes is a pair of shoes, and a belt is a belt,” Pomerantz said. “Reuse not only offers quality products to people with limited means all around the globe, it generates jobs and contributes to local economies while helping the planet. There is no down side here!”

Community Recycling