Massachusetts is beginning a small revolution in trash legislation.
Under a new law that recently went into effect, residents will no longer be able to throw their clothes in the trash. A proposal created to reduce the pressure of textile waste on the state’s landfills and other waste treatment facilities.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection estimated that Massachusetts residents and businesses throw away 230,000 tons of textiles each year and that 85 percent could be reused, donated or recycled. “Virtually any fabric can be reused, repurposed or recycled if it is clean and dry,” the department writes on its website. “Even worn, torn and stained items have salvage value.”
To help comply, companies such as Recycling Works Massachusetts and Bay State Textiles offer recycling programs and tips through their websites. The new law is not limited to textiles; it also requires citizens to recycle mattresses, which MassDEP says can often be disassembled and used to create new products.
“In order to meet the important goals outlined in the 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan, the Baker-Polito Administration has focused on reducing waste disposal, while also increasing recycling, diversion, reuse, and composting measures,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “These regulations and the supporting strategies that are being implemented today will continue our nation-leading efforts and jump-start waste diversion work that is occurring across the Commonwealth.”
