Des Moines business diverts clothing from the dump
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Seven cents of every pound of clothing donationed from this site at 950 15th St. in Des Moines goes to a student incentive program at Edmunds Elementary. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
There's a new way in Des Moines to get rid of that shirt with the stain or pair of sneakers with a hole in the side toe.
- Clothes Bins — they're vivid green drop boxes that are part of a national franchise.
Why it matters: It's a good way to divert items from the landfill that can't be worn again.
What's happening: Clive businessman Brad Burtnette added more than a dozen bins throughout the metro.
- He plans to add about 80 more in coming months.
Of note: It's part of a for-profit business. Donations are not tax deductible, which is explained on the front of the bins.
- Yes, but: Burtnette is sharing some of his profits with local charities.
What to give: Any clothing item or textile that's dry and has no odor.
- No mildewed items or any soiled with solvents like gasoline.
The big picture: More than 11 million tons of textiles — mostly clothing and footwear — went to the landfill in 2018, according to the most recent EPA estimates.
- It accounts for roughly 8% of municipal solid waste.
Meanwhile: Nearly 100% of clothing can be recycled, according to the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association.
- Furniture stuffing and industrial wiping cloths are among some of its uses.
