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Textiles

It is said that over 2,000 years ago, China produced the first paper by using cotton rags. Today, light years ahead in technology, rags and vegetable fibre by-products  continue to be used in making paper products.

Textile manufacturing by-products are important raw materials. These are threads or fibres from spinning, weaving and finishing plants. They are collected, graded and baled before being delivered to manufacturers for conversion into a wide range of new products.

Used clothing and textile by-products for recycling are sorted. Old clothing collected from households that are still in good condition can be resold. Cotton rags can be made into wiping cloths for use in industry. Knitted or woven woollens and similar materials are 'pulled' into a fibrous state for reuse by the textile industry.

Besides natural fibres, like wool, cotton, silk and linen, artificial fibres such as rayon, are also important. Polyamides, polyesters and acrylics are used in the manufacture of garments - all of which be recycled. Textile recycling provides raw materials for upholstery, mattresses filling, for wadding and other absorbent products, and for the manufacture of felt as well as fibre from which new cloth can be made.

FOR LINENS:
Your local SPCA, veterinarians, or other animal board and care organization are always looking for extra linens, especially towels. They use these items in bathing and grooming our pets. Call to see if they have a need the next time you're cleaning out the linen closet!

FOR CLOTHES:
Several agencies collect gently used clothing--your place of worship may have a clothes closet in case of disaster; Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters, Goodwill and the Salvation Army operate several thrift stores around Hampton Roads--and you can take a tax deduction! If making money is more your style, consider taking your better items to a local consignment shop and earn some extra cash to help fill all that extra space you've made in your closet! You might also contact your local college or theatrical arts department who take donations for upcoming performances and costumes.

LINKS:

The Salvation Army - (Free Residential Collection Service.)
757-393-2519 Collecting: Men's, women's and children's clothes - all sizes, all seasons. House linens including sheets, towels and drapes.

St. Columbia Services - (Must Deliver.) Collecting: Men's, women's and children's clothes - all sizes, all seasons. Also taking gently used shoes, belts and hats in all sizes. Collecting towels and wash clothes for those in need.

Seton House - (Free Residential Collection Service.) Collecting: Teenage boys and girls clothing. Bed sheets, towels and linens also accepted. Shoes, belts, overcoats and jackets also accepted.

 

 

Related Products:
Reading Glasses

The old lenses that steer you into walls may be the perfect gift for someone in need. Collected eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired and measured to determine the correction. Available glasses are cataloged in a computer database, and matched to people with need. Many of the glasses are sent to other countries, as laws in the USA make it difficult to re-dispense a prescription product.

The Lions Clubs operate the largest program, collecting glasses from thousands of opticians. Collections are often available at your local library.

 

Information received from the Bureau of International Recycling or BIR. Go to: http://www.bir.org/aboutrecycling/textiles.asp for more details.
 
Copyright �2002 HR CLEAN. All Rights Reserved. Site developed and maintained by WHRO - Public Telecommunications for Hampton Roads.