COLUMBUS, Ohio – In an effort to reduce waste transported to the county landfill, the Franklin County Commissioners and Sheriff are embarking on a new textile recycling partnership with Goodwill Columbus.
Worn-out inmate uniforms, shoes, blankets and towels from both of the county’s jails will be sent to Goodwill to be recycled or reused, the commissioners, Sheriff Zach Scott and Goodwill Columbus president and CEO Margie Pizzuti during a joint news conference Friday morning.
Those items, which accumulate over time, were previously sent to the landfill. The commissioners say the recycling program will reduce the amount the county is charged for dumpster pickups.
“These donations will be responsibly salvaged and recycled through trusted vendors and will help us raise funding for our programs,” Pizzuti said.
The commissioners will act next week on a request to accept a $100,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to help fund Goodwill Columbus’ textile recycling efforts.