Have you noticed the new Clothing Bins in front of the tennis courts on Brandeis Road? Newton Public Schools placed the bins to help make donating, reusing and recycling unwanted clothing, shoes, linens and textiles easy and convenient. Beginning November 1, textiles in Massachusetts can no longer be disposed of in trash and in our blue bins (and never go in the green bins). Textiles and shoes that can be reused or recycled account for approximately 5% of our waste in Massachusetts. Helpsy takes all clean textiles and items that are on their list and will reuse higher grade items. Nationally, 50% is reusable, 45% is recyclable.

Newton Public Schools (NPS) is partnering with Helpsy to collect whatever we can wear, sleep in, or dry ourselves off with. This includes anything made from wool, silk, linen, cotton, polyester, leather, vinyl, hemp and rayon. Find a full list of accepted items here. Higher grade items are resold to thrift stores in North America and other secondhand markets across the world; lower grade items are turned into rags or things like stuffing and insulation. Helpsy is a Public Benefit Corporation and a Certified B Corp with an environmental mission. Donations generate a small amount of revenue for NPS which will likely be used for sustainability work at NPS.

Bins at NPS schools brought in over 25,000 lbs of clothing in August, which equates $2,500! 

The NPS Facilities staff will be the primary point of contact for any concerns or issues related to the bins (damage, vandalism, need for a pick-up). Call 617-559-9000 or email [email protected]. 

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.