Will County to host annual textile collection April 30-May 4

JOLIET – The Will County Resource Recovery and Energy Division will host its annual textile collection Monday, April 30, through Friday, May 4.

Collections bins will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the first floor lobby of the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh, who oversees the Resource Recovery and Energy Division within the Will County Land Use Department, said he is proud the county offers this special collection event for residents.

In 2006, Will County began collecting gym shoes and in 2007 started accepting all shoes. To mark the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010, the County expanded the collection to include all clothing and textiles. These items include pants, shirts and dresses as well as drapes, tablecloths and towels. Items in any condition are welcome.

Will County will partner with Savers of Orland Park, a business that reuses and recycles fabrics, clothing, and shoes. Savers also works with non-profits, such as the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. In the past, Will County has worked with Goodwill Industries, Share Your Soles, and St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.

Walsh said the county collections have annually averaged more than 3,000 pounds of textiles which then have a new life through recycling.

“There is no reason to send any cloth items to the landfill,” said the county’s recycling specialist, Marta Keane. “There are so many people in need and we can save resources by turning the items that can’t be reused into insulation, factory rags or sound-proofing in vehicles.”

WJOL-AM’s Scott Slocum will host a live remote broadcast from the county office building from 5:30 to 9 a.m. on Friday, May 4. Residents that participate on Friday may also bring small home goods, such as working lamps, picture frames, knick knacks and more to donate to the resale effort.

The textile collection event is one of the many events hosted by the Resource Recovery and Energy Division each year. For more information about other events, visit www.willcountygreen.com.