The City of Long Beach has partnered with the L.A.-based company SUAY for a one-off Recycle Your Textiles event. On Jan. 31, residents can bring up to two 13-gallon bags of old textiles to three drop-off sites. According to an official statement from the city, accepted items include worn-out clothing and linens, with the exception of undergarments, duvets, pillows, and items with animal fur. The initiative aims to prevent textile waste from ending up in landfills.
Mayor Rex Richardson, as told to the press of the city's website, emphasized the program's importance: “We’re proud to offer residents this opportunity to responsibly recycle and remake their unwanted textiles.” He further noted the collective impact, "When residents take part, they help reduce waste, build a more sustainable future and keep textiles out of landfills." The event taps into that often-forgotten truth that a city's sustainability is tied not just to grand policy but to the quotidian choices of its everyday people.
The drop-off locations will be active for four hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, and El Dorado Park West. SUAY will then take over, cleaning and repurposing the collected textiles into new products such as clothing or home goods like pillows and dog beds. Bob Dowell, Director of Energy & Environmental Services, highlighted in a statement the shared value of the event: “We are excited to bring the community together this January with a no‑cost textile drop‑off event that inspires action around waste reduction and reuse.”
Long Beach, known for its mix of metropolitan offerings and community-centric neighborhoods, is funding this event through a state recycling grant. This one-time drop-off isn't a donation drive, with city officials encouraging the donation of higher-quality clothing to charitable organizations. Further details on the textile recycling event, and Long Beach's myriad amenities, can be found at the city’s official government site.
