Bay State Textiles

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Every year 26 billion pounds of used textiles are thrown away in the United State, but textile recycling – our specialty – is a better choice for everyone. Turning this problem around can start in your community with charity donation boxes for collecting used textiles. Bay State Textiles partners with schools and communities to create a process for diverting clothing donations, along with shoes, and fabrics away from the solid waste stream. Instead of being thrown away, used textiles create a new source of revenue for your community. See below for a list of acceptable items.

Within five years, Bay State Textiles partnered with over (90) school districts in Massachusetts, generating thousands of dollars for school communities that host used textile donation boxes. The focus of the School Box Program is to spread awareness to the problem of unwanted textiles, educate on acceptable items for textile recycling/reuse, while generating much-needed revenue for the school communities. There is no cost, and Bay State Textiles handles all of the logistics to the program! Contact us today to learn more and start solving the problem of recycling used textiles.

Don’t Miss the Sustainable Living Expo 2018!

A co-production of Sustainne and Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Mark Your Calendar for Saturday, October 13, 2018

From 10 am until 2 pm at Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk
Free with Museum Admission of $15 per person

We Are Bringing Our Recycling Truck to Provide Guests with a Zero Waste Call to Action!

Bring Your Used Textiles for a Recycling Drive benefiting our host, Stepping Stones Museum for Children.

Start saving your textiles today to bring to the Expo. Here’s a list of acceptable items:

Footwear:

Shoes
Boots
Sneakers
Heels
Work Boots
Cleats
Pumps
Dress Boots
Slippers
Sandals
Winter Boots
Flip Flops

Clothing:

Tops
Pants
Undergarments
Sweaters
Jeans
Socks
Sweatshirts
Sweatpants
T-Shirts
Dresses
Skirts
Slips
Tank Tops
Shorts
Pajamas
Blazers
Slacks
Coats

Accessories:

Hats
Gloves
Scarfs
Pocketbooks
Duffle Bags
Totes
Belts
Ties
Bathrobes

Linens:

Sheets
Pillows
Comforters
Blankets
Towels
Throw Rugs
Draperies
Table Linens
Placemats

Stuffed Animals

Items NOT to Donate

Mattresses (CT has a dedicated mattress recycling program)
Couch Cushions
Lawn Furniture Cushions
Foam Products (mattress pads, etc.)
Carpet Remnants
Rugs (larger than 2’ x 4’)

Bay State Textiles by the Numbers

Massachusetts 2017

2,500 tons (5,000,000 lbs) collected in 2017
$250,000 in rebate paid to schools and towns
92 school districts participating and collecting rebate, with 586 boxes being serviced
24 municipalities participating in the trailer program and collecting rebate
127 municipalities participating in total

Q What happens to the donated textiles?

Bay State Textile exports 45% of its clothing donations and collections to developing countries. There is a healthy demand for used clothing and shoes from the United States all over the world. These textiles are primarily reused as clothing and shoes, providing thousands of jobs for small entrepreneurs, their families, and employees. Another 20% is broken down into recycled fiber products, which save money and resources. 30% is turned into recycled cloth rags. These rags use less water, less energy, and create a lower carbon footprint.