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Clothing Donations for GOOD Good


SHOW NOTES for Green Assistant Radio Episode 09 (aired on 02-07-2022) @Asheville FM


 

But First, an Apology

OMG, I can't believe how much I centered myself while talking about Black History Month. Here I am centering myself again. Please let me clarify...

Black History Month is to celebrate and raise up the often unknown, withheld, and stolen accomplishments and achievements of Black people throughout history.

On air, I said somethign along the lines of "this month is for people like me." I meant that this is the time for white people to learn and see the history that has been suppressed, stolen, and often remarketed as completely different stories. Black people don't need a month to appreciate Black history! (Eco Connection- It is like environmentalist saying that EVERY day is Earth Day, because it is something that is important to us more than one day a year. We don't need one day to tell us that it is important.)

This month is a small, VERY small (literally the shortest month of the year) opportunity to focus that attention and love where it belongs, on the amazing Black people in our history and creating future history!

I apologize for claiming this month as if it is for me.

Black History Matters.

Black Lives Matter.


 

Clothing Donations in America


Closets get too full, furniture gets too scratched, toy bins overflow. No problem! We can just take them to the donation drop-off nearby and I can feel GOOOOOOOD, right?

Well, yes, until now.

Apparently you came here to let me rain on your parade, because Big Box Donation-Thrift Stores do not serve our community in the ways that they present to us. And who are we? We are the donors, the customers, the people who feed their conglomerate, corporate system that deals with our unwanted wares.

We are told that donating EVERYTHING we don't want creates jobs, but what if I told you that those jobs are under-paying (sometimes less than one dollar-per-hour hour!), demoralizing, under-appreciated work. What if I told you that the people doing the real work at these centers, sorting your goods, pulling out your trash from the other donations, carrying those big a$$ garbage bags of donated clothing, are being mistreated and exploited by customers, management, and the system at large?

(There are videos linked below if you want more details, along with your own research on the internet. The information is out there! They don't even try to hide it.)


So, I know I am absolutely fired up about this, as you could tell in the episode that aired today (Monday, February 7th at 11 am- catch the replay in the Archives on AshevilleFM.org through Sunday February 20th.) but instead of putting my anger out there, we are focusing on what we can do that is BETTER than the big box thrift stores.

Whew, that already feels better.

 

GIVE DIRECTLY


BeLoved Street Pantries:


Keep a Bin of Supplies In Your Car:

Have a stash of large socks, gloves, hats, and blankets in the backseat of your car. Then, if you see someone at a stoplight or while parking your car, you can offer up some love in the form of warming supplies!


Participate in our Warming Supply Drive with Greater Charlotte RISE:

We are making it easy for you to donate your WINTER SUPPLIES to our drop spot and we will redistribute within communities all over North Carolina! Here is our list of VERY SPECIFIC items and rules regarding what is needed, what needs to be done before donating anything, and where you can find our drop spots.

FIRST COLLECTION:

This Saturday February 12th from 12-2 at Asheville FM (846 Haywood Road)



 

Warming Supply Drive Webpage is available right here.

You will find details about what items we are accepting and multiple opportunities to make those intentional donations!










 

Are you interested in hosting a collection point at your office,

hiking club, business, or housing complex?

We are interested in supporting you! Email Walker at thegreenassistant@gmail.com with HOST A SITE in the Subject Line. If we get 5-10 people who say they are interested, we will host a Zoom Meeting to explore best practices (and challenges) as a group. That's when it is the most fun!

And if we don't reach that many people, Walker will work with you directly to make sure your collection and redistribution of supplies is a SUCCESS!


 

Green Assistant Radio Shout Outs:


Featured Music:

Michael Kiwanuka, Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)

Black Violin, Time to Shine (Morning Edition)

  • Official YouTube Page

Macy Gray, Do Something

Bill Withers, Do It Good

  • Official YouTube Page

Roy Ayers, Daddy Bug




Underwriters of AshevilleFM featured during this episode:

Appalachian Realty Associates: appalachianrealty.com

Compost AVL: compostavl.com


 

Follow Up from Last Week's Episode:


Source Separated Recycling: You, the source, are the one who separates them items into different materials.

Single-Stream Recycling: All accepted materials are mixed together.


GLASS RECYCLING:

Charlotte, NC Glass Drop Offs:


Link to Full Service Drop Off Locations - single stream AND source separated for glass and cardboard on site!

Link to accepted Items

Link to their Recycle Right Meck County Webinar (recorded Jan 2021)

- although focused on Mecklenburg County, NC, a lot of the recycling info applies in Asheville too!





Asheville Glass Recycling: We do not have source separated at our recycling centers here in Asheville, so go ahead and utilize the single stream recycling system to recycle your glass bottles and jars.


Brevard and Transylvania County: They have source-separated glass recycling bins at their centers, but we can't drive 45 minutes to recycle our glass. That is truly NOT sustainable! But if you are a frequent visitor to that area, maybe you can coordinate the trip with an open date/time for their recycling center.



PAPER RECYCLING:

Paper is the easiest material to collect and recycle in your office, home, or business! No mess, no food residues, and accepted almost everywhere! You can also can directly benefit the recycling industry right here in Western North Carolina.

Desired Materials: ALL CLEAN AND DRY

  1. Cardboard Boxes (flattened and empty, tape is okay if left on)

  2. Junk Mail, Newspapers, Magazines (no plastic bags! plastic window can stay on)

  3. Paperboard Boxes like cereal, pasta, tissues (empty + flatten, plastic window can stay on)



So, if you don't have recycling services, or don't want to pay for them at your business, if you recycle clean and dry PAPER, you can recycle it for FREE at Asheville Waste Paper Company at 304 Lyman Street. Make sure it is the goods they want (the ones listed above) and drop them off in the yard, 24/7 access. Yesssss!



And if you have MOVING boxes (not shipping or other boxes, only moving ones) then you can take them to the Buncombe County Transfer Station at 190 Hominy Road. There, they have a shed of MOVING BOXES that are still in great condition. Get some, give some, Save some energy by reusing instead of recycling.



But wait! Reusing IS recycling!! 💚






 

Resources for Deep Digs:

Just to get you started!!


Clothing Donations in other countries are ending up as giant piles of dangerous waste in other countries! We are shipping off our garbage to people who have less infrastructure to deal with the refuse. And who do you think ultimately has to deal with the waste? The poorest and most marginalized people in the community. (I am looking for the pictures and videos to share here- will update this page as soon as I have them!)


📺 Great YouTube video about the big blue thrift store

WARNING :: LANGUAGE click here



 

Next Week's Show: Main topic? No idea! 🤪

- Do you have questions about Clothing Donations? Send them to us at thegreenassistant@gmail.com and we will answer them on air.

+ Have a topic you want us to cover? Let us know about it and come on air with us. This is so much more fun with a team!


And, while we have no idea of our topic, it will be green and it will be at AshevilleFM.org on Monday from 11am-12noon. Stay tuned!



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