It’s no secret that Americans have a textile waste problem.
Nearly 6 percent of New York City’s waste consists of unwanted clothing and linens, according to figures from the Department of Sanitation, and the vast majority of it can be reused or recycled. That’s why Mayor Bill de Blasio recently declared plans to expand opportunities to do so, with a view to becoming a zero-waste city by 2030.
New York isn’t the only place that’s about to pump up its apparel recycling programs. American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS) has bought a 21,000-square-foot clothing and footwear collection facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, for an undisclosed amount.
The operation, comprising 144 donation bins located throughout the state, was formally owned and operated by Retail Management Specialists of Eastern Missouri, and supports the Indiana State Department of Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
“We are excited about our next phase of growth and development into the Midwest and beyond,” Debra Stevenson Peganyee, chief marketing officer for ATRS, said in a press release announcing the acquisition. “Our mission is to serve more communities and neighborhoods across the nation with easy convenient textile recycling solutions for all. We look forward to helping DAV expand this clothing donation partnership into an ongoing stream of monthly revenue to increase local programs and services for veterans statewide.”
Founded in 2001, ATRS provides free textile recycling solutions in 10 states and 28 metropolitan areas across the country through partnerships with municipalities, property management companies, schools, churches and local retailers and it’s on track to be nationwide by 2025.