Nearly six months after helping to launch the statewide Re-Clothe NY, the Town of Bethlehem’s Recycling Department was honored with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest recognition.
Bethlehem Recycling Coordinator Dan Rain accepted the 2015 U.S. EPA Environmental Champion award on Friday, April 24, in New York City. The award was presented to the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse and Recycling for the Re-Clothe NY campaign, and Rain was asked to accept the award its behalf as the campaign coordinator.
“This is very exciting because it a very prestigious award,” said Rain. “It really speaks to what our team and the residents of the state have been able to accomplish in diverting this material from landfills for the past year.”
Rain said the original idea began when he realized that not just wearable clothing could be recycled or reused, but so could all types of textiles. This includes linen, shoes, curtains, stuffed animals, etc.
“That was a real eye-opener for me and a lot of colleagues throughout the state. (I) wanted to share that we could recapture all of these items from the landfill,” he said.
Re-Clothe NY was launched as a collaborative effort between the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3), Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) and the Council for Textile Recycling (CTR). The first large collection took place on America Recycles Day in November 2014, and more than 100,000 pounds of materials were recycled and kept out of landfills.
Bethlehem residents have participated in two major recycling events since the campaign — originally called Clothes The Loop NY — was launched. In that time the town itself has recycled more than 54,900 in textiles.
“We still have a lot more room to go,” said Rain. “In Albany County alone, it’s estimated that 21 million pounds of clothes and other textiles, with $3.7 million value, are trashed every year. The campaign is growing, and we’re reaching out locally to try and grow it statewide. Albany County plans to begin efforts to divert textiles. They just had their first collection on April 18, and I’m sure other municipalities will follow suit.”
The organization nominated itself for the award earlier in the year. The EPA said the campaign produced “an innovative set of public communication tools,” including a website with a searchable database of textile drop off locations, a media relations tool kit and social media platforms. They won the award because the “campaign generated statewide awareness of the need to recycle textiles.” It’s believed more than one billion pounds of textile materials, with a market value of over $200 million, is thrown out each year.
“No other state in the nation has yet undertaken such an extensive campaign to focus on this material and develop resources to provide a turn-key template for any state, municipality or town to raise awareness and increase diversion of this valuable and untapped reuse and recycling resource,” said SMART Executive Director Jackie King in a news release.
Rain said he was proud to be a part of the team to raise awareness of the efforts to recycle textiles. He thanked the town, including Highway Department Superintendent Brent Meredith, for helping him launch the campaign in Bethlehem. The American Clothing company has their blue collection bins throughout town, including at the Elm Ave. CDTA Park and Ride. Proceeds from those bins benefit the town.
Bethlehem Supervisor John Clarkson praised Rain’s efforts and the town’s recycling record.
“The community’s commitment to environmental stewardship is great, and our Recycling Coordinator, Dan Rain, is doing a great job harnessing this energy. We’ve reached an estimated 66.5 percent residential diversion rate for 2014 — an accomplishment of which we can all be proud,” said Clarkson. “The goal is to beat that rate next year.”
Earth Day Recycle Fest
More than 37 tons of materials were also diverted from landfills during Bethlehem’s Earth Day Recycle Fest on April 18.
Not only were residents able to recycle textiles, but also electronics and paper products. About 35,792 pounds of electronics and 11,550 pounds of appliances and scrap metal objects were collected for recycling through JGS Recycling of Waterford. In addition, 9,800 pounds of paper documents were shredded on-site by 3N Document Destruction of Clifton Park.
The town also held its first book collection. Nearly 10,300 pounds of books were collected to be broken down and turned into cellulose insulation by Green Fiber.
At the event, more than $2,000 was also raised to support Bethlehem Central School District Environmental Programs and the Bethlehem Food Pantry.
Residents are urged to drop off textiles and books at a local charitable organization, or by using clothing collection bins found throughout the region. Visit www.NYTextiles.org for more information.
