Boston Public Works opens up a new clothing and textile recycling center in Jamaica

Despite the fact that many brands are turning towards sustainability in major parts of the world; recycling of plastics, clothing and accessories is still being ignored and 85% of clothes go in the garbage. Boston Public Works has recently confirmed its new drop off location for recycling clothing & textiles in Jamaica Plain, making a total of 14 drop off locations around the city. It usually accepts all types of clothing and textile accessories.

BPW’s Brian Coughlin says that they are working in partnership with BPC, BPS & BFD to facilitate personnel for expansion and are also looking for private lands for the same purpose.

Coughlin confirms that 7% of the city’s trash is clothing and textile annually. The city has also taken support from HELPSY for helping its residents. The company affirms that their initiative is majorly about upcycling, responsible handling of overstock and returns & changing the thinking about the clothing life cycle. They say they can easily give a second life to 95% of the clothing and textile materials, out of which 50% will be reusable and 45% will be recyclable.

HELSY further says they sell the materials collected from bins to recyclers, retailers and wholesalers. They say there are many countries that buy used clothing which benefits them both economically as well as environmentally.