Hampton Introduces Monthly HELPSY Clothing Pick-Up to Boost Recycling Efforts

Photo byMaude Frédérique LavoieonUnsplash

HAMPTON, N.H. – The Town of Hampton has launched a new initiative to make textile recycling more accessible to its residents. In partnership with HELPSY, a company specializing in textile recycling, the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is now offering free curbside pick-up of clothing and household textiles on the third Wednesday of each month. Residents wishing to participate in this eco-friendly program can schedule their pickup online through the Town’s official website.

This program, which officially began on February 5, 2022, accepts a wide variety of items including any textile composed of natural or synthetic fibers such as wool, silk, linen, cotton, and polyester. Residents can donate items in any condition—whether torn, worn, stained, or otherwise damaged—as long as they are clean, dry, and odor-free.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), textile waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the United States, occupying nearly 5% of all landfill space. Annually, the U.S. discards approximately 36 billion pounds of textiles, which averages to nearly 100 pounds per person. While only 15% of this is currently recycled, up to 95% could be repurposed.

The Town of Hampton's new recycling initiative aims to address this issue head-on. "We are excited to provide our community with an easy and effective way to recycle their unwanted textiles and help reduce landfill waste," a spokesperson from Hampton’s DPW stated. "Our partnership with HELPSY is a crucial step towards sustainability, and we encourage all residents to participate."

For more details on what can be recycled and how to schedule a pickup, residents are encouraged to visit the Transfer Station page on the Town of Hampton’s website at Hampton Transfer Station. This page also provides a list of acceptable items, frequently asked questions, and instructions on how to participate in the program.