New Textile Recycling Program in Baltimore County Welcomed by Locals

Baltimore County, Md. Started a new textile and clothing recycling program last month and, judging by the usage, the community is embracing the program.

“The bins are filling up, even in the first couple weeks,” said Trevor Hummel, Baltimore County’s Recycling Contracts and Marketing Manager. “It’s been a great service so far.”

Helpsy, a textile collection company, is facilitating the program that has been in the works for some time. After a delay, the program is now up and running and it’s been said to be making a difference.

“We’re excited to offer this,” Hummel said. “We’re finally able to offer various recycling containers at all of our three Residential Drop Off Centers. We encourage residents to come and drop off pretty much as much textiles and clothing as they’ve got…. We’re happy to keep this stream out of the landfill.”

Helpys is a for-profit business that processes materials diverted from landfills for profit and offers a small portion of that profit to clients. In 2022, Helpsy recovered over 31 million pounds of clothing.

“These companies find use for everything from the highest grade to the lowest grade, and just do something better with it than leave it in a landfill,” Hummel said.

So far, the feedback from Baltimore County residents about the textile recycling program has been positive.

“As far as what I’ve seen on social media, everyone is really receptive to recycling,” said Lowell Melser, a spokesman for the county’s department of public works and transportation. “Overall, it’s a positive experience and it seems pretty well received by the feedback we’re getting from the public.”

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