CET’s 14th annual Earth Day Clothing and Textile Drive
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - On Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) will hold its 14th annual Textile Drive to collect old clothing and household textiles for reuse and recycling. CET is located at 112 Elm Street in Pittsfield. The event will be held in partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires to help celebrate the 39th anniversary of Earth Day. The collection is open to all Berkshire county residents as well as those living in southern Vermont and eastern New York State.Materials will be accepted at CET on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, residents may drop clothing in the large metal bin at the back of the parking lot at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center at 15 Crissey Road in Great Barrington from April 11 until April 26. In North County, clothing can be dropped off at the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation at Sheep Hill between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays from April 13 to April 24.
All types of clothing are accepted—including sweaters, shirts, skirts, pants, jackets, overcoats and raincoats. Blankets, gloves, socks, paired shoes and winter boots, sheets, towels, and curtains are also acceptable. Clothing must be clean, dry and packed in strong plastic bags, such as garbage or lawn-leaf bags. Rugs, carpeting and pillows will not be accepted. Please do not bring clothes on hangers. During this year’s drive, CET will also collect donations of non-perishable food items in support of Goodwill’s Food Pantry program. These donations will only be accepted at CET’s Elm Street collection on April 25 and 26.
Goodwill resells the wearable clothing at its local stores and sends the remainder to the textile market. Additionally, Goodwill uses the collection, sorting and retail sales as job training for individuals with barriers to employment. Last year, Goodwill provided services to 122 individuals in eight different programs.
The event is coordinated with assistance from the Southern Berkshire Solid Waste Management District. During the drive, CET will offer education about reuse and recycling to the Berkshire community. Last year’s drive resulted in CET collecting more than 26,000 pounds of materials.
For more information about the textile drive, please call Rob Tocchio at CET, (413) 445-4556 ext. 30 or (800) 238-1221 ext. 30, or visit www.cetonline.org
