The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the expansion of its textile recycling program. In addition to the original municipalities of Plainfield, Summit, and Scotch Plains, the county will now be collaborating with the Township of Cranford. This partnership aims to develop more sustainable solutions for reducing clothing and textile waste in our community.
“Since launching our textile recycling program a few months ago, we have already significantly reduced waste in our county, demonstrating the positive outcomes we can achieve when we come together to create a greener, more environmentally responsible community,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Our collaboration with Cranford further expands our network of drop-off locations for recycling unwanted clothing and other items, making it easier and even more convenient for residents to participate in this innovative program.”
In February, Union County partnered with Helpsy, a leading sustainable clothing and textile recycling company, to launch a program that allows residents to drop off unwanted clothing, shoes, accessories, and household linens in any condition. Plainfield, Summit, and Scotch Plains have been working with the County in the administration of this program (https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2025/02/18/union-county-launches-county-wide-sustainable-textile-recycling-program/), since its onset.
Since its launch, Union County, Helpsy, and partner municipalities have successfully diverted over 23,000 pounds of textiles from the waste stream.
The new Helpsy drop-off location for unwanted items is now set up at the Cranford Conservation Center, located at 210 Birchwood Avenue, between Orange Avenue and Cranford Avenue. The Center operates on Wednesdays from 9:20 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Saturdays from 9:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m., and Sundays from 9:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Helpsy extends the useful life of clothing by connecting clothes to the best end use: reuse or recycling (https://www.helpsy.com/). Helpsy is a certified B Corporation and a Public Benefit Corporation with a mission to keep clothes out of the trash and to create honorable work.
For more information regarding this Union County recycling program and other programs, please visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning homepage at https://ucnj.org/recycling/.