January 10, 2008
Material Mondays Continues at the Union Square Greenmarket
In June 2007, Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey joined two programs within the Council on the Environment of New York City -- the Office of Recycling Outreach & Education and Greenmarket -- to initiate a pilot program to collect used textiles (clothing, shoes, bedding, linens, etc.). This pilot program supports the City’s landmark Solid Waste Management Plan and works towards achieving the plan’s ambitious recycling goals. In the seven month period the program has operated, over 1,000 people donated over 31,000 pounds of unwanted clothing and textiles for reuse and recycling, preventing their disposal.
The success of the program in 2007 encouraged the partner organizations to continue the program in 2008. Textile collections will continue to take place at the Union Square Greenmarket on Monday’s ONLY from 8 A.M. – 6 P.M. The donation of these items not only supports Goodwill’s many programs to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment but, also improves the environment by keeping materials that can be reused and recycled out of the New York City waste stream.
Many New Yorkers would be shocked to discover that textile waste, which includes clothing and linen items, represents almost 6% of NYC’s residential waste, as reported in the 2004-2005 NYC Department of Sanitation Residential and Street Basket Waste Characterization Study. This means that over 193,000 tons of recyclable textiles are being disposed of by New Yorkers every year, costing the City tens of millions of dollars. This pilot program is being conducted to recover these materials for recycling, support Goodwill Industries charitable activities, and to reduce NYC’s waste disposal costs. This pilot also complements textile recovery efforts being conducted by the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY). For more information on DSNY textile recycling collection events, visit www.nyc.gov/nycwasteless.
Textiles are collected EVERY Monday from 8 A.M to 6 P.M. at the northeast corner of Union Square Park by the Greenmarket. Acceptable donations include used clothing, shoes, boots, hats, jackets, towels, bedding, and linens. Goodwill will provide receipts upon request for those who may want to use their donation as a charitable contribution.
Please note that textile collections may need to be temporarily suspended when the reconstruction of the north end of Union Square begins this year. Please visit www.cenyc.org to obtain up to date information on the status of the Material Mondays textile collection program. Just click on Recycling and check the events calendar!
Since 1902, Goodwill Industries has been a leader in recycling donated goods and selling them at its thrift stores to fund its mission work. Goodwill Industries is thankful for this opportunity to be part of the Union Square Greenmarket for this purpose and, with the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education, to help promote the importance of recycling.
The success of the program in 2007 encouraged the partner organizations to continue the program in 2008. Textile collections will continue to take place at the Union Square Greenmarket on Monday’s ONLY from 8 A.M. – 6 P.M. The donation of these items not only supports Goodwill’s many programs to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment but, also improves the environment by keeping materials that can be reused and recycled out of the New York City waste stream.
Many New Yorkers would be shocked to discover that textile waste, which includes clothing and linen items, represents almost 6% of NYC’s residential waste, as reported in the 2004-2005 NYC Department of Sanitation Residential and Street Basket Waste Characterization Study. This means that over 193,000 tons of recyclable textiles are being disposed of by New Yorkers every year, costing the City tens of millions of dollars. This pilot program is being conducted to recover these materials for recycling, support Goodwill Industries charitable activities, and to reduce NYC’s waste disposal costs. This pilot also complements textile recovery efforts being conducted by the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY). For more information on DSNY textile recycling collection events, visit www.nyc.gov/nycwasteless.
Textiles are collected EVERY Monday from 8 A.M to 6 P.M. at the northeast corner of Union Square Park by the Greenmarket. Acceptable donations include used clothing, shoes, boots, hats, jackets, towels, bedding, and linens. Goodwill will provide receipts upon request for those who may want to use their donation as a charitable contribution.
Please note that textile collections may need to be temporarily suspended when the reconstruction of the north end of Union Square begins this year. Please visit www.cenyc.org to obtain up to date information on the status of the Material Mondays textile collection program. Just click on Recycling and check the events calendar!
Since 1902, Goodwill Industries has been a leader in recycling donated goods and selling them at its thrift stores to fund its mission work. Goodwill Industries is thankful for this opportunity to be part of the Union Square Greenmarket for this purpose and, with the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education, to help promote the importance of recycling.