Springing the clocks forward and the warmer temps have us in the mood for a bit of spring cleaning.
Every year Massachusetts residents and businesses throw away ~230,000 tons of usable textiles, including clothing, footwear, belts, hats, handbags, throw rugs, drapes, towels, sheets, and other linens. Did you know that 95% of these materials can be reused as clothing, repurposed for wiping cloths, or recycled into new fiber-based products?
Before you start that weekend project, remember the old saying: “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and consider giving those gently used clothes or books a second life. Review this list of places to donate items before tossing everything out.
More Than Words, 242 E. Berkeley St.
Accepts: Books, clothes, movies, music, and video games.
St. Francis House, 39 Boylston St.
Accepts: Clothing, work wear clothing, shoes, and reusable bags.
Cradles to Crayons, 38 drop-off locations
Accepts: Clothing, books, arts and crafts, unopened diapers, and new personal hygiene items.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 1580 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury
Accepts: Furniture, hardware, home decor, lighting, and building materials.
Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Ave.
Accepts: Warm hats, glove + scarf sets, cozy throw blankets, winter socks, and beauty products — including lotions, scrubs, and facial masks
Bonus: the city of Boston’s Reuse and Donation Directory provides a comprehensive list of businesses and organizations that accept reusable items or offer repair services. Recycling is also noted in some cases.
