Today I separated out the different kinds of rags we have so that they can go to their appropriate homes. We have more than we need, as is true with many things, so while sitting here thinking about how much of it all will just be gotten rid of, I decided that no, I’m not giving up that easily and just putting what we don’t need into garbage/landfill.
Taking a break from the problem, I called my friend Rachel, who thinks a lot about the same sorts of issues (living lightly on the earth, how to balance personal comfort with trying to reduce resource consumption, keeping things out of landfill, etc.) and had a nice meandering chat with her about all sorts of things, although I did include some whining about my rag overstock dilemma.
Rachel mentioned she’s been watching some of my favorite shows, the historical reality shows like Frontier House and Texas Ranch House. She also mentioned one I haven’t seen called Victorian Farm (DVD is out in the UK, will it eventually be released here in the US?), and she said that one of the characters (participants?) was talking about how she was getting things ready for a pick-up by the rag-and-bone man.
The rag-and-bone man! Where is that man?! I want him to come to my house! After Rachel and I got off the phone, I went without much hope to Google rag recycling, and lo and behold, apparently Goodwill bundles up unsellable items for a company that recycles rags. Oh, and so do Amvets and Salvation Army. Halle-freakin’-lujah!
I called our local Goodwill store to confirm before I trotted over there, and the man who answered the phone told me no, they don’t do that. Unwilling to accept defeat, I called the main office of Goodwill in Maryland, and they referred me to our regional office, who told me yes, just tell them when I drop off the bag that the items should not be processed for sale but should go directly to salvage. Ha! They do take them. Now I can let go of the guilt of putting things into landfill that can somehow be kept out of it.
I even checked with the woman who spoke to me to make sure that Goodwill gets something for the salvage. It’s not much, but it isn’t a liability. They do get paid for their salvage, not charged for having it hauled away. I didn’t want to keep something out of landfill at a cost to a charitable organization.
Today I’m feeling good about my relentless tendencies. They can be a bit of a drag in some situations, but sometimes it really pays off to have this no stone left unturned mentality. It took maybe 10 minutes and an unwillingness to accept that first no at face value. And internet access, although I’m guessing I could have accomplished the same feats using the phone book, it just would have taken a little longer.
Another small triumph, but I’ll take the small ones. They add up. And now the effects of this one can ripple out. Tell your friends! Keep worn out clothes and other fabric out of landfill by bundling them for salvage and taking them to your Goodwill. Just be sure to tell them your donation should go straight to salvage.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, you are just on a roll! This is great to know, Darcy.
Maybe you should write a book or something about “How to live lightly on the earth.” You’ve got my head percolating on many levels!
As for rags, I think we might slice up one of our sheets that we don’t use anymore (a spot here, a spot there) and make them into handkerchiefs! Maybe I should invest in a pair of pinking shears?!
when you see my parents ask my mom about the rag man. she has the stories about growing up… they’re awesome! pops doesn’t have a corner on the market by a long shot, he’s just more naturally chatty.
.-= annie-kins´s last blog .. =-.
Your persistence inspired me to look into exactly what we’re doing here in the UK now that we don’t (as far as I know) have any more rag and bone men, and I did find “Rag Bag”, which collects unwanted textiles from your house and from schools and gives the money to charity. It’s too late to call to find out more, but I’m so glad you mentioned Goodwill so that I thought to check out what I can do here. Perhaps I can now offload some rags too! You rock.
Rachel! That is awesome!! I am so happy that you found a place to take your rags. Thank you for starting off my day with a big lift to my heart!
Oh, and Grace, I keep forgetting to tell you that I have a pair of pinking shears you are welcome to come over and use. You can come over and use my sewing machine, too, if you want to sew a hem on those handkerchiefs. Hooray for textile reuse!
so glad there are others thinking like I do. fyi, I heard that paper making companies were having trouble getting rags for their best papers! I like the idea of labeling a bag strictly for salvage so they don’t have to sort thru it once it gets to the charity. thank you!
Maureen, so glad to know that this post is still being read
If you feel like it, let me know how it goes with dropping off your rags 
An e mail to national Good Will on rag recycling got me a direction to call regional in DC. That office said no, they don’t recycle but I could check with the stores to be sure. The one on Bolling Brook Rockville said no, as did the one near 355 in Giathersburg. Do you have any suggestions concerning a better Good Will contact or other options? Thank you.
I am sorry, but I don’t know any more than what is in this post. I don’t know if different regions have different rules or if the rules have changed since I wrote this post. Depending on where you are located, could you try searching online for rag salvage + your city/state? I would also try other local recycling/green groups and just ask them if they know anyone who accepts fabric salvage. Good luck!
I am sure this post will be read once a year as we all try to rid our homes of old junk to make room for new junk. I am glad to know that there are options for rags. Now I am trying to determine what to do with a collection of decorative tins. They have accumulated over the years from gifts like cookies, popcorn, etc. I kept them because they are pretty, but never used them for anything. I am now in declutter mode and do not want anything that is not serving a useful purpose. Any ideas on where to take decorative tins?
Renee, I take stuff like that either just to a regular thrift store or I bet you’d have great luck with finding someone to take them via your local Freecycle as well. I use metal tins like that to store fleece for spinning, maybe you’ve got a local spinners guild and could get in touch with them to see if anyone’s interested? And if none of that works, there’s always metal recycling! You’d only get a very little for them, I’m guessing, but they’d have a second life. Good luck with your decluttering!