2018-trash ords FAQs — File 205421

FAQs - Curbside textile recycling program About curbside textile recycling program The City of Somerville is offering a curbside textile recycling program. This program is available at all buildings that currently receive curbside recycling and trash services from the City (typically buildings with six or fewer units). This program is in addition to available drop boxes for clothing and shoes around the City. Who is the contractor? A company called Simple Recycling has been contracted for this program. Why is the City working with this specific company? The City of Somerville issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) requesting curbside textile recycling services. Based on the responses received, the qualifications of the company, an interview, and references, this contract was awarded to Simple Recycling. How will this program work? Simple Recycling will send two pink bags by mail to all eligible units. Residents can fill them with clothing, shoes and accessories and place these bags on the curb on trash day. A small truck operated by Simple Recycling will pick them up every week, on the same schedule as weekly trash/recycling pick-up. How much will this program cost the City? This program will have no cost to the City or customers. Who do they sell/donate the clothes to? Simple Recycling works with several thrift stores to resell up to 20% of the collected material. About 80% of the material is not sellable in the US. Therefore, it gets sorted out at the Simple Recycling facility. Whatever can be used in the international market is delivered to the relevant international market. The rest of the material is used as a raw material. On a broad scale, 40% of the material is reused or repurposed as secondhand clothing, 30% is reused as rags and/or industrial material such as absorbents, and 30% is recycled in to home insulation, carpet padding, and raw material for the automotive industry. Does the City get any portion of the sales? Contractually, the City will receive $20/ton collection from Simple Recycling under this program.

2 Is there a limit on the number of bags people can get? How much do they cost? The bags are free. Residents will receive their first two bags through the mail. Subsequently, every time a bag is picked up, an additional empty bag will be left at the residence by the Simple Recycling driver for future use. Who should you contact if you didn’t receive a bag or you need more bags? Residents can always request more bags by calling [phone removed] or via email [email removed]. Simple Recycling will make arrangements to drop off the bag via post or their recycling truck operators.