Association for Textile Recycling seeks worn-out clothes

Your old single socks, shirts with holes and tired jeans could find a new life if you donate them to the Association for Textile Recycling. 

The association comprises six organizations in Nova Scotia, including the Salvation Army and Red Cross. They say overlooked textiles can be valuable to charities. 

"If it's not perfect, they're embarrassed to donate it," said Reg Chitty.

He's the association's vice-president and works as the store manager of Value Village, a for-profit thrift shop that buys donated items from the Canadian Diabetes Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  

Unsold books get their coves torn off and are then recycled for paper. He said some of the clothing not sold in thrift shops ends up in open-air markets overseas.

"There's 30,000 tonnes of clothing going to landfill each year in Nova Scotia," said Chitty.  

The group formed in 2013 to raise awareness about textile recycling in Nova Scotia. 

Clothing by the pound

Ken Donnelly, a solid waste consultant contracted to create the association's website, says heavily worn clothing can be sold to companies that break down textiles into fibres. 

Those fibres can be used as lower-grade material for products such as upholstery in cars and carpet underlay.  

Carol Goddard, executive director of Big Bothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax, said the charity is paid by the pound for clothing donations. 

That adds up to $180,000 or more in revenue each year. That money matches 120 adults and youth.  

"We get paid for every pound, whether it ends up in the store or whether it goes to recycling," she said.