Benefits of Recycling and Frequently Asked Questions

Donating clothing = textile recycling!  Not only are your unwanted items going to be re-used by someone who needs them, you are helping to keep clothing out of landfills.  More than 11 million tons of textiles are dumped in landfills across the country, and there can be many long-term environmental harmful effects.  Decomposing clothing releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas and a significant contributor of global warming.  There are dyes and chemicals in fabric and other components of clothing and shoes that can leach into the soil, contaminating both surface and groundwater.

The clothing we collect is sorted and exported to those in need, some to third-world countries such as Africa.  Our clothing collections are not shredded.  We encourage you to donate items that are in good, usable condition.  Millennium also helps over 200 local and national charities within the United States.

These second-hand items are much needed in other parts of the world, where its residents cannot afford new items or the cost of these items even at thrift store retail prices within the United States.  Sending items to these areas helps supply them with much needed garments that they would not have access to, or be able to afford to purchase otherwise.

Clothes and shoes any size (men's, women's, children's, infants), accessories (belts, purses, backpacks, hats), small toys (soft or hard toys below 14 inches), linens (bed sheets, blankets, curtains).  All donated items should be in good, usable condition.  If you would not use it yourself if it was given to you, then it is not suitable for donation.

We do not accept:

• books, board games, puzzles, large toys (above 14 inches in size)
• art supplies (crayons, markers, coloring books, crafting items, fabric scraps)
• furniture, rugs, exercise equipment, appliances or electronics of any kind (nothing with a cord)
• winter boots, winter coats, single shoes, roller skates, ice skates, dance shoes
• unusable clothing: soiled, stained, damp, damaged, tattered items with holes or tears, rags
• baby items:  pack and plays, car seats, strollers, baby seats, loungers
• miscellaneous housewares, decorative items, bric-a-brac, dishes, glassware, baking/cookware, pots/pans, kitchenware of any kind
• leftover thrift store or rummage sale items of any kind

Millennium exports a great deal of clothing to some of the poorest areas of the world.  Most of those areas are in very warm climates, such as Africa, where they do not need items like winter coats or boots.  In other parts of the world, the electrical outlets differ, so many of the things that we plug into our outlets in the United States can't be plugged into the type of outlets in Africa.  Mostly, the people living in these areas just need good, usable clothing to wear which is why we do not accept items that are stained or unusable.  We collect clothing to send to people in need so that they can wear them.

YES!  There are many facilities, even in your town or county, that can accept items like rags, dishes, electrical appliances, and furniture.  If you contact your town recycling center, they should be able to help you recycle the items that Millennium cannot take.

All donations should be bagged.  13-gallon white kitchen trash bags are preferred, but use whatever you have on hand such as shopping bags from grocery or retail stores -- either plastic or reusable type.  If you use black trash bags, preferably 30-gallon and under, please only fill them about halfway.  Otherwise, they are too heavy and unwieldy.  Black bags are usually best for bulkier items that take up more space such as sheets, towels, toys, etc.

No, please do not touch them.  We can only accept directly donated items, or "unsorted."  These are items that have gone from someone's home, into a bag, to your fundraiser, and has not been touched (no one has removed anything from the bags).  If you were to remove or transfer anything from one bag to another, it is then considered "sorted."

Please clearly advertise what items are acceptable to be donated, and ask that they be bagged appropriately.  We can provide a flyer that includes this information.  Any potential donors are welcome to contact us directly with questions.

No, we cannot pick up any leftover clothing from rummage or yard sales because they are considered "sorted."

No, we cannot coordinate a clothing drive with your organization at another time if you have a rummage/yard sale throughout the year.  Also, we cannot pick up from your organization if you are affiliated with a thrift store.