EAST LANSING, Mich. — The City of East Lansing has partnered with Simple Recycling to bring free, curbside collection of clothing/textiles and other household items to the East Lansing community. Collection will be offered on a weekly basis and is scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 17.
Prior to the start of collection, East Lansing residents eligible for curbside collection will receive a Simple Recycling starter kit in the mail with two bags and one tag. To participate in the program, residents can gather up items that Simple Recycling collects and fill the bags provided and/or any waterproof bag with the tag attached. Residents can then leave the bags at the curb on their regular recycling/refuse pickup day for free collection. The bags and tags will be replenished by the Simple Recycling driver as they are used.
Simple Recycling accepts the following items: clothing (in good/usable and poor/unusable condition), jewelry, shoes, purses, hats, toys, pictures, mirrors, blankets, drapes/curtains, pillows, rags, sewing scraps, sleeping bags, small furniture, small appliances, irons, radios, TV’s, lamps, hairdryers, tools, toasters, microwaves, coffee makers, computers/electronics, silverware, dishes, pots/pans and glasses.
This new program is not meant to replace donations to charities and nonprofits, but is rather aimed at providing an additional option for residents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 85 percent of household goods that could be recycled or reused end up in a landfill. Simple Recycling strives to reduce that percentage by providing an easy, free way for community members to recycle household items.
“We are excited to have formed this partnership with Simple Recycling,” said East Lansing Environmental Services Administrator Cathy DeShambo. “We hope the ease of this new program will encourage community members to choose to recycle rather than throwing items away.”
If a resident does not receive or misplaces their Simple Recycling starter kit, they can call (866) 835-5068 to have one mailed to their home. Residents can learn more about Simple Recycling at http://simplerecycling.com/.