# Greenmarket Collections Reach 1,000,000 lbs!  Sweet!

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/greenmarket-collections-reach-1000000-lbs-sweet/
- Published: 2011-05-16T15:45:35-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Congratulations to [GrowNYC](https://www.grownyc.org/), our partner in greenmarket
collections, for the accomplishment of diverting 1 Million lbs. of textiles from
landfills.  GrowNYC has been a great partner in so many ways that it is hard to 
say enough about how we feel about this organization. They have helped us as a company
and also as individuals raising the bar in how we interact with our local community.
We tip our caps to you GrowNYC.   Here’s to 1 million more!

The average New Yorker tosses 46 pounds of clothing and textiles in the trash each
year.  Thereby totaling 6% of our entire residential waste stream.  But with your
help, landfills are going on a diet. More than 51,000 New Yorkers have helped NYC
lose 1 million pounds by recycling unwanted clothing.  For that’s linens, paired
shoes, bags and more.  All through GrowNYC’s textile recycling initiative.

![Green Living Guy Sustainable Food TV Segment with GreenMarket](https://i0.wp.com/
greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/32399289-0635-4F1F-92AF-8D45FA2791DC.
jpeg?resize=300%2C169&quality=52&ssl=1)

##  

##  

## FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

#### Why a textile recycling program?

5.7% of NYCs residential waste stream consists of textiles like clothing and towels.
All told, New Yorkers discard 193,000 tons of textiles every year in NYC. Especially
at a cost to taxpayers and our environment.

### Where and when can I recycle my textiles?

Textiles can be dropped off weekly at 8 select Greenmarkets: 97th Street, Union 
Square (Mon and Sat only), Grand Army Plaza, Fort Greene, McCarren Park, Inwood,
Tompkins Square and Jackson Heights.  Click here for the full schedule and location
information.

### What items are accepted?

Our collections accept clean and dry clothing, paired shoes, bedding, linens, hats,
handbags, belts, fabric scraps 36″x36″ or larger and other textiles.  We do not 
accept rugs or carpeting.

### What happens to materials donated?

Materials are also sorted into different grades.  That’s also including usable/non-
usable, cotton scrap, cotton blend scrap and synthetics. These commodities are then
sold for reuse as clothing.  Also linens, or to recycling markets.  Then that turn
materials into wiping rags, fiber for car seats and insulation.

**Is my donation tax deductible? **

Yes! Your contribution to the program directly benefits Council on the Environment,
Inc. d/b/a GrowNYC. 

**What if I can’t make it to these collections? **

If you are unable to attend our weekly collections, contact Wearable Collections
at 646-515-4387 or info (at) wearablecollections.com.  All to see if you are eligible
for a home pick up. Better yet, visit [www.WearableCollections.com](http://wearablecollections.com/)
to find out how to set up a textile recycling program in your apartment building!

**Can my business bring items to the drop-off sites? **

In conclusion, NYC law requires businesses to recycle textiles if they comprise 
more than 10% of the company’s total waste stream. Visit NYC Wasteless to find a
vendor.

Finally, and from their recent news release:

_“Given the enormous volume of textiles that residents dispose of each year in NYC.
GrowNYC wanted to provide a convenient alternative. What began as a pilot in Union
Square has grown to be a permanent offering at eight of our Greenmarkets,” said 
GrowNYC Executive Director Marcel Van Ooyen. “And, New Yorkers have responded overwhelmingly.
So over 51,000 New Yorkers have contributed to the million pounds of textiles that
have been diverted from disposal as of March 31, 2011. That’s enough to fill 24 
subway cars!”_

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)