Brookline Aims To Help Environment With Textile Drive

BROOKLINE, MA — The Department of Public Works is once again partnering with the Brookline Senior Center to host its annual clothing and textile drive on Tuesday, April 8.

The two entities are also being joined by Helpsy, a company whose goal is to keep clothes and textiles out of the trash system. According to the DPW, 230,000 tons of textiles enter the state’s waste stream each year. This can reportedly cause water pollution and an increase in greenhouse gas emission.
The drive will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at the senior center on 93 Winchester St. The DPW is encouraging potential donors to make appointments online ahead of time. All clothing and textile items, regardless of condition, will be accepted.

Helpsy reviews each textile item donated, and determines which can be resold to other stores for reuse while others are recycled into rags or insulation.

“Previous clothing drives have been well-attended by residents and have eliminated thousands of pounds of trash in Brookline, moving us toward our climate action and zero waste goals,” Brookline Director of Sustainability and Natural Resources Alexandra Vecchio said.