Request a Clothing Recycling Bin from Wearable Collections

While most clothing brands don't have a take-back program like Patagonia does, Manhattanites in the Big Apple have another option that makes recycling used duds as easy as recycling bottles. cans. and newspapers.

Wearable Collections makes it easy for people to donate used clothing by placing collection bins in their buildings, helping to divert some of the 193,000 tons of recyclable clothing and textiles that the Council on the Environment of New York City's Office of Recycling Outreach and Education estimates end up in the city's landfills every year.Clean clothing, including shoes and hats, as well as household linens, handbags, and belts, that are picked up are then sold to provide reduced-cost clothing for consumers in impoverished countries. Unusable togs, on the other hand, are recycled as wiping and polish cloths, or converted into fiber for products such as mattresses and couches.

If your building isn't listed on Wearable Collection's Web site, you can request a bin from the company at no cost, or visit one of the stores that host bins, including Green Cleaners and the Bottomless Closet.

Tip: If you're a non-profit or charity, Wearable Collections can help you organize a clothing drive, and then pay you for the clothing you helped recover. ::Wearable Collections

Difficulty level: Easy