A Des Moines business turns trash into clothes

In Des Moines, there’s a new way to get rid of that shirt from the dirt or that pair of shoes with a hole in the side toe.

• Wardrobes – are the bright green drop boxes that are part of the national franchise.

Why is it important?: It’s a great way to turn items that can’t be worn again out of the trash.

what’s happening: Clive businessman Brad Burtnett has added more than a dozen pools in the metro.

• It plans to add about 80 more in the coming months.

Note: It is part of a for-profit business. Contributions are not tax deductible, which is explained on the front of the vouchers.

• Yes, but: BurtNet is donating a portion of its profits to local charities.

What to give: Any clothes or textiles that are dry and odorless.

• No moldy stuff like gasoline or any dirty stuff.

The big pictureAccording to a recent EPA estimate, more than 11 million tons of textiles—mostly clothing and footwear—went into landfills in 2018.

• It accounts for approximately 8% of municipal solid waste.

MeanwhileAccording to the Association of Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles, almost 100% of clothing can be recycled.

• Furniture and industrial cleaning cloths are among the benefits.