Clothing collection bins are an essential tool for capturing textiles for reuse and recycling, diverting valuable materials from landfills, and helping communities meet waste diversion goals — including those established under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs. To be effective, these bins must remain widely available and accessible. Overly restrictive local ordinances that ban or severely limit bins undermine the ability to address textile waste at scale and jeopardize compliance with EPR requirements.
SMART supports transparency in bin operations so donors clearly understand who benefits from their contributions. We also recognize that local zoning concerns may necessitate reasonable permitting or placement requirements. While we do not oppose most such measures, we reserve the right to oppose unnecessarily burdensome regulations or penalties that impede our industry’s ability to operate and contribute to waste diversion efforts.
Position Paper, Draft Ordinance & Collection Bin Code of Conduct
SMART has developed a position paper, model ordinance, and code of conduct to guide communities in crafting balanced regulations. These resources highlight the critical economic, environmental, and philanthropic benefits of textile collection, while ensuring transparency and accountability. The model ordinance requires clear disclosure if the operator is a for-profit company, compliance with zoning and permitting requirements, property owner permission, visible contact information, regular maintenance, and prompt response to complaints — all without compromising the industry’s ability to meet collection and diversion targets.
