Milford's Launching New Textile Curbside Pickup Program

MILFORD, MA—Residents can now leave unwanted coats, bedspreads, drapes, blankets and the like at curbside rather than looking for a time and a place to recycle such things.

The Milford Board of Health just gave the thumbs up to launch a new curbside recycling program that lets residents get rid of unwanted textiles by simply leaving them in a bag on the sidewalk. The town signed a three-year contract with Simple Recycling and Waste Zero to operate the service. And no, it doesn't cost anything more to residents.

"The present state of the recycling markets are facing serious challenges," said a statement from the Board of Health. "The strict limits on contaminants in loads of recyclables are leading to turmoil in global recycling markets. Some communities, especially those with single-stream recycling, are now paying more for recycling than trash. Because of these challenges the Milford Board of Health decided it was time to study other options that would improve the town’s recycling program."

Milford remains one of very few communities that still funds the curbside rubbish and recycling program through taxes, rather than user fees.

"The Milford Board of Health members feel this is a win-win for the town," said Paul Mazzuchelli, board member. "This new program creates a curbside program that would be beneficial for our residents, as well as help reduce the solid waste stream."

According to a study, roughly 5.6 percent of all residential waste is made up of reusable textiles. Lots of these materials wind up in the trash, say experts, even though residents could recycle them. It's estimated that about 15 percent is recovered. Apparently, fewer lug those bags to churches, schools and charities than once thought.

Simple Recycling has sent mailers to all Milford households that are eligible to participate in Milford’s curbside rubbish/recycling program with information of this new textile recycling program. Those houses also got a pair of bright, pink plastic bags about a week and a half before the launch.

Residents can discard unwanted clothes, drapes, bedspreads and other textiles by placing them in the bags and leaving them on the curb beside their recycling bins. They're then picked up by Simple Recycling, which travels the town's recycling routes. They'll pick up the bags, and leave new ones for you.

An estimated 9,000 households in Milford currently participate in curbside trash and recycling collection. It’s estimated the new textile recycling program could take 45 tons of material out of the waste stream per year.

According to the company, the town could benefit financially, saving it about $3,000 in disposal fees. The town also gets a reimbursement of $20 per ton of textiles collected. That'll translate into an additional $800 or so.

The company will accept more than just clothes; other items that can be discarded in the pink bags include jewelry, purses, hats, toys, pictures, mirrors, blankets, tools, silverware, glasses and backpacks.

Go here for more information on the program.

Photo via Shutterstock