America Recycles Day: Recycle textiles, batteries, bulbs, and e-waste
By David Goldstein, Ventura County Public Works Agency
Textiles made from natural cellulose can be mechanically shredded and combed into new yarns or recycled into products ranging from home furnishings to insulation. In contrast, clothing made with mixed materials, such as standard polyester blends, are seldom recycled. On November 20, in celebration of America Recycles Day, the County of Ventura is sponsoring an opportunity to recycle all textiles via drop-off. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Public Works Agency (PWA) and General Services Agency (GSA) will host an America Recycles Day collection event at the Service Building of the Ventura County Government Center.
This event, which will also include recycling of electronic waste, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs, will be in partnership with Homeboy Industries, which collects and recycles a broad range of textiles. With funding from PWA, Homeboy Industries will sell what they can and domestically recycle the rest into items such as stuffing and mattress pads.
Accepted materials include clean clothing, matched pairs of shoes, socks, handbags, backpacks, hats, gloves, scarves, towels, sheets, pillowcases, and curtains. Undergarments and swimsuits are accepted only when new and in their original, unopened packaging. Dirty items, used pillows and comforters, stuffed animals, rugs, and used rags cannot be accepted.
For textile collection, PWA usually directs people to local thrift stores to donate unwanted clothing. However, thrift stores want only clothing that can be re-sold; other textiles are a burden. This event funds Homeboy Industries and relies on their network of outlets, most accepting material only for a charge, for recycling.
At the County of Ventura’s Earth Day Event in April, the County collected 1,422 pounds of textiles. Homeboy Industries picked up the material, recycling over 96 percent and selling almost 4 percent through e-commerce platforms.
Homeboy Industries provides job training and employment opportunities to people seeking a fresh start after incarceration and gang involvement. Recovering materials and creating employment opportunities are complementary goals: discarded clothing becomes a resource, while the work of processing it helps people build new skills and livelihoods.
The November 20 event also expands the County’s electronic waste collection. GSA, which normally handles electronic waste generated by County operations, will accept e-waste from the public. Batteries and fluorescent bulbs are also being accepted this time and could increase totals over the 10,000 pounds previously collected at a GSA event, according to GSA Management Assistant Brianna Bertrand, who explained, “Proper collection prevents harmful materials from entering the environment and allows recoverable materials to return to productive use.”
Residents interested in reducing textile waste can also take a step before the County event. Wendi Mitchell, owner of Blue Ridge Market and Learning Center at 1461 Tower Square in Ventura, is hosting a free clothing exchange on November 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants receive one ticket for each acceptable item they bring and can exchange tickets for other clothing. Items must be clean and in good condition. Anything unsuitable for the exchange, along with clothing left over afterward, will be delivered to the County’s November 20 collection.
Mitchell is also planning a tie-dye gathering, January 9, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Participants can bring stained or otherwise imperfect garments for a second life. For $10, she supplies the dye, rubber bands, and drying racks. Transforming an otherwise unwanted shirt into something wearable is another way to avoid unnecessary disposal.
These activities illustrate an important principle of waste reduction: recycling is valuable, but extending the useful life of products is even better. Trading clothing, repairing it, creatively transforming it, and purchasing durable items can all reduce the demand for new resources.
America Recycles Day is a reminder that responsible resource management starts with everyday decisions. Whether exchanging a shirt, transforming a stained garment, or bringing electronics and textiles to the County collection, residents have opportunities to turn what might otherwise be discarded into something useful.
David Goldstein, Environmental Resource Analyst with the Ventura County Public Works Agency, may be reached at david.goldstein@venturacounty.gov
