Arlington Partners With Helpsy To Recycle Unwanted Clothing

ARLINGTON, MA — The Town of Arlington has partnered with Helpsy, a textile recycling company, to offer free home pickup of clothing, textiles, and shoes for residents.

As the largest clothing collector in the Northeast, Helpsy partners with municipalities and organizations across 11 states to collect unwanted clothing and other textiles in order to keep clothes out of landfills.

In 2021, the company diverted nearly 30 million pounds of textiles from landfills through a combination of clothing drives, home pickups, thrift store partners and clothing receptacles.

Arlington is joining 14 other towns in Massachusetts in partnering with Helpsy.

“Keeping clothing, shoes, sheets, towels, etc. out of the trash is vital to reducing Arlington’s trash weight,” Arlington’s DPW Recycling Coordinator Charlotte Milan said in a statement. “Residents are always asking how they can help divert more of our trash, so recycling textiles at the curb is a great solution. It’s an easy-to-use addition to the programs we can offer our residents.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, textile waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the United States, occupying nearly 5 percent of all landfill space, which is why Helpsy works with towns like Arlington to give clothing the longest life possible.

Beginning October 12, residents can schedule a pickup on their weekly collection day between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Items must be placed in unused garbage bags. To sign up or learn about the program, visit www.helpsy.co/arlingtonma or call 1-800-244-6350.

For more information about Arlington’s Recycling Programs contact Arlington DPW’s Reuse & Recycling Center at 781-316-3108.