reuse #3: second time around textiles (james cahillane)

Textile Collection

Clothing and Textile Collection Clothing and Textile Collection in Your Communityin Your Community

Jamie CahillaneJamie CahillaneCenter for EcoTechnologyCenter for EcoTechnology

Providing practical solutions to every day problems.– Energy Efficiency– Renewable Energy– Waste Management– Environmental Education

Center for EcoTechnology

Why re-use/recycle Textiles?

• 5% of the waste stream• 12,500,000 tons per year• Easy to collect• Many potential partners and markets• Potential revenue source• CET cross-marketing other programs

Why Recycle

Who has these materials?

• Residents• Businesses -– Uniform suppliers– Second hand stores

• Hotels• Inns – B&B’s• Resorts – Canyon Ranch, Kripalu• Left-over from Church tag sales

Who has these materials?

Partners we have worked with

• Good Will –– Supplies Straight Truck– Local re-use– Jobs program

• Cyntex –– Broker– Supplies Semi-trailer– Materials shipped out of state

Partners

Who wants these materials?

• Important to have market first• Salvation Army• Good Will• Other organizations• Brokers-– Cyntex

Markets

Small operating budget

• Advertising/Promotion-$1,200• Staff - $1,500-$2,000

Budget

Promotion

• Sponsors –– Local banks – paid advertising

• Email lists– Bio-heat co-op– Recycling Services– Friends

• PSA’s and Press Release

Organize

Logistics

• Drop-sites –– Convenience– CET– Community Centers– Churches– Transfer Stations etc.

Organize

Volunteers

• AmeriCorpsVISTA• RSVP• Boy Scouts• College Students– Env. class service req.

Organize

Results• Depends on local media.• Has varied over the years. 12,000 lbs – 25,000

lbs.• Strong community support• $2,250-$3,000 income

Results

Contact info

The Center for EcoTechnology can help communities.For more information, resources or technical assistance, contact

Jamie Cahillane, jamiec@cetonline.org, (413)445-4556 x14