Is your school looking for an easy way to make a little extra money?
USAgain will pay a school 2 cents per pound of textiles (clothes, shoes, bed linen and other draperies) if they host a collection bin on their property.
The collection bin is managed by USAgain. The school does not need to do anything. USAgain will empty the bin once a week, or more often if it proves very popular and then send payment directly to the school.
For more information refer to the USAgain School fundraiser webpage.
Charity Clothing Donations
Several charities will redistribute second hand clothing to the poor and elderly, or sell them in their thrift stores to fund their charitable work, so why not contact them if you are having a clear out of your closet.
Planet Aid
Planet Aid is a non-profit organization that collects and sells donated clothing and shoes to support sustainable development in poor communities around the world. The distinctive yellow Planet Aid collection bins for clothes and shoes are located through-out New Jersey. You can use the zip-code search on the Planet Aid website to find the nearest location to you, or call the New Jersey/New York office at (973) 882-7956 for details.
Clothing and shoes should be clean and in working condition that does not require repair.
Planet Aid would like to partner with local businesses or municipalities to manage collections of clothing and shoe donations. For example, they already work with Somerset county to collect clothing and shoes from residents at the county recycling center.
If you manage or own a business in a community not currently served by a Planet Aid collection, why not arrange to host a Planet Aid collection bin at the front of your store. It costs nothing to host the collection bin and Planet Aid staff will regularly empty the bin for you, even up to twice a day in popular locations. You would be providing a valuable service to your customers and your community.
For more details consult the "Host a Bin" page on the Planet Aid website.
USAgain
USAgain is a for profit company that collects textiles (clothes, shoes and other household textiles) for reuse and recycling. The textiles should be placed in tied plastic bags. Collection bins are located throughout New Jersey. To find your nearest collection bin, use the 'find a Drop box' search on the USAgain website.
The collected textiles are sold to wholesalers, thrift stores and textile recyclers in the US and abroad.
Schools that host a USAgain collection bin are paid 2 cents per pound of textiles collected. The bin is managed by USAgain who will empty the bin at least once a week. For more information on how to enroll your school in this program, go to the USAgain school fundraisers webpage.
Any organization (business, retail store, church, community center, municipal recycling center...) can host a collection bin, to provide a useful recycling option for the community.
Dress for Success
Dress for Success collects suits and business clothing for women for redistribution to poor and disadvantaged women within the local community. The clothing donated allows poor women in the community to attend job interviews for business and management careers.
Go to the clothing donations page on the Dress for Success website for mroe information on what items they will accept.
There are Dress for Success location in Essex, Hudson, Mercer and Morris counties in New Jersey. To find the nearest location to you, click here.
NJ County Clothing Collections
Your local county recycling center may also collect textiles and clothing for redistribution to charity organizations so check your local county website for more details.
Donate Blue Jeans for Insulation Manufacturing
As an alternative to using fiberglass insulation several companies now use old blue jeans to make an environmentally friendly, sustainable form of insulation.
Green Jeans Insulation collects and redistributes old blue jeans that will later be manufactured into insulation pads for homes and businesses.
To donate your jeans simply mail the jeans to
Green Jeans Insulation Inc.
5821 Femrite Drive
Madison, WI 53718
Cotton from Blue to Green also collects blue jeans that will be recycled into insulation padding. Check out the details on their website for more information.
Up cycling
Up cycling is the modern term for converting an old item into something new. Why not make your old clothes into a cushion or a bag. All you need is a needle and thread and a little imagination.