Dive Brief:

• White Plains, New York has started a textile recycling program, the first of its kind offered in the Lower Hudson Valley.
• Trans-Americas Textile Recycling, based in Clifton, New Jersey, has partnered with the town to turn the discarded clothing into carpet padding, rags and apparel. The company pays $100 for each ton of textiles collected.
• The president of Trans-Americas estimates that White Plains can collect around a half of a ton per week once the program kicks into gear. 

Dive Insight:

According to the president of Trans-Americas, only 15% of textiles are currently recycled across the country, but other cities throughout the United States are beginning to add textile recycling programs: San Francisco has begun installing high-tech bins in 100 apartment complexes around town, with plans to have bins at all residential high-rises by 2019. Municipalities in Illinois have formed a partnership with the local solid waste agency in order to begin their own textile recycling program.