Ripped, stained and worn-out clothes usually end up in a landfill. But a new local recycling program could give them a second life as soundproofing foam, furniture filling, or even cushioning inside an eco-friendly coffin.
The pilot is a first for the state, officials say 鈥� if all goes well, it could lead to permanent textile recycling sites in Central Ohio. There’s growing interest in reducing clothing waste, especially following the rise of fast fashion, but options are still limited in the U.S.
- Unlike bottles or cans, clothes are made from blended materials that are difficult to separate for recycling.
- Over 85% of textiles nationwide end up in landfills or incinerated, which emits harmful greenhouse gases, per EPA estimates from 2018.
SWACO is leading the pilot with help from local startup Circular Thrift. Five clothing dropoff sites will be open for three months, and two farmers markets will also collect items on select July dates.