Yolo County, CA

05/09/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/09/2022 15:11

Yolo County Announces New Textile Reuse and Recycling Program

Press Release (PDF)

For Immediate Release

John Fout
Public Information Officer
[email protected]

(Woodland, CA) - The Yolo County Central Landfill, located at 44090 County Road 28H in Woodland, is now accepting textiles for reuse and recycling to meet SB 1383 Green House Gas (GHG) reduction targets.

Textiles include dry clothing, clean rags/towels, bed sheets, pillowcases, and sleeping bags. Unacceptable program products are textiles that are contaminated, wet or soiled, fabric scraps, area rugs, or pillows. However, all unacceptable items may be disposed of for a fee through the landfill scale house.

According to CalRecycle, textiles are the sixth most prevalent material type in the overall disposed waste stream in California landfills. Estimates show that 95% of this material is reusable or recyclable. CalRecycle has set an ambitious goal of 75% recycling, composting, or source reduction to help decrease California's reliance on landfills, and responsibly managing textile waste is essential to this effort. These goals led Yolo County to establish this new pilot program, in partnership with I Choose Life (ICL), where nearly 100% of textiles collected at the Yolo County Central Landfill textile drop-off location will get reused or recycled.

A waste hierarchy will be followed, starting with reuse through the resale process at the ICL thrift store in Woodland, California, accounting for approximately 45% of the textiles coming through the program. With roughly 30% of textiles being wiping cloth grade and 20% fiber/thread grade, the rest of the material is sorted, baled, and transported to Los Angeles to be further processed and recycled into area rugs. This pilot program allows for items that previously did not have a home (holey socks, ripped blouses, old bath towels, etc.) to be given new life.

Textiles can be dropped off during normal landfill hours, Monday - Saturday, from 6:30 am to 4 pm, and on Sundays, from 8 am - 4 pm.

Visit the Yolo County Central Landfill to learn more.

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