Simple Recycling has informed the Town of Wake Forest that it will discontinue its curbside textile collection program in Wake Forest effective Friday, June 19. In a letter to Town officials, Simple Recycling identified the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary reason for its decision.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has materially changed our nation and the world at large. While the full impact and interruptions to our business are yet to be fully realized, in the immediate term, they are significant. We have been challenged to make difficult but prudent decisions to ensure the continuity of our programs in your community and at a national level.
“Because of this, please accept this notification that Simple Recycling will be discontinuing our curbside textile collection program in the City of Wake Forest and our last day of service will be June 19th as we are closing our local facility.”
Simple Recycling also collected and recycled shoes, accessories and even household items such as pots and pans.
The Town is encouraging local residents to consider the following tips when apparel, footwear and accessories are out of style, worn, stained or just no longer useful.
- Pass clothing along to family or friends. Babies and children often outgrow clothes well before they are worn out.
- Donate clothing. Reputable charities and thrift stores accept and sell donated clothing to help fund their activities and achieve their charitable missions. See a few local charities listed below. Approximately 20 percent of donated clothes are sold at thrift locations. The remaining 80 percent is sold to recyclers.
- Recycle clothing. Some clothing retailers, such as Levi Strauss, Madewell, H&M and The North Face provide in-store receptacles to take back used clothing and may offer incentives to participate.
- Repurpose clothing. This can be as simple as turning an old t-shirt into a cleaning rag.
- Buy recycled. Seek out and purchase clothing and accessories made from recycled materials.
Additionally, the following local non-profits accept donations of clothing: GCF Donation Center & Store, Goodwill, Retails Thrift Store, Ukay Ukay Thrift Store, Giving Tree Foundation, Helping Hand Mission, Salvation Army, Women’s Center of Wake County, North Raleigh Ministries.
The average person throws away nearly 70 pounds of clothing, shoes and accessories each year. By recycling these items, Wake Forest residents can keep them out of the landfill and make them available to others who can use them.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/WFClothesRecycling.
