Have an old sweater or a pair of jeans you don’t want anymore? Don’t just throw it out — donate it during the Cornwall Give-A-Shirt campaign instead!
The Spring 2023 campaign, which invites residents to donate gently used clothing, bedding, and shoes, is taking place from Monday April 17, 2023 to Friday April 21, 2023. The donations are then brought to the Agape Centre’s New For You, Baldwin House’s Serendipity Boutique, and the Salvation Army thrift store.
When these local stores are no longer able to accept donations, leftovers will be brought to Value Village and any other thrift stores in Eastern Ontario that can accept clothes.
To participate, simply collect the items you want to donate, bag them, and then place a sign on the bag that states: “Give-A-Shirt” on the day of your regular garbage and recycling collection.
Items that are torn, stained or not reusable, please label the bag as “clothes for recycling”. Place your bag (s) out on your regular collection day, a few feet away from your garbage and recycling. These items are sent for recycling through a partnership with Canadian Diabetes Association.
Since the start of the Cornwall Gives-A-Shirt campaign six years ago, Cornwall residents have donated a staggering amount of textile waste — 48,860 kgs to be exact!
“Participating in the Give-A-Shirt campaign not only helps out our local not-for-profit thrift stores, it also helps to divert textile waste from the landfill, which is quickly nearing the end of its projected capacity,” said Dave Kuhn, Waste Management Supervisor.
“Textile waste is a growing concern with landfill sites in North America. Recent studies by Seneca College show that 86% of all discarded textile waste has reuse potential or can be recycled,” said Emily McDonald, Environmental Analyst for the City of Cornwall.
For the spring collection, city residents are asked to donate spring and summer items.
You can reduce textile waste by avoiding fast fashion items from large manufacturers who rapidly produce and market high volumes of clothing that are generally lesser quality and will not last as long in your wardrobe. Consider shopping at local businesses who sell well-made clothing rather than purchasing large cooperation fast-fashion items.
Other ways to help reduce textile waste include repairing items rather than simply tossing them out; upcycling worn out items into something new and fun; swapping clothes with friends; shopping at the City’s thrift stores and considering renting items you’ll likely only wear once.
In case you missed your pick-up or have additional clothing or textiles you wish to donate, there is a textile donation bin located at the City of Cornwall Landfill Site where you may drop-off donations or textiles for recycling during operating hours. The City will also have a Give -A-Shirt donation bin at the 3rd Annual Eco Day at Lamoureux Park April 22nd, 2023.
