Throwing Out Old Ripped Up Jeans? Better Not in Massachusetts

You don't have to follow fashion, to know that jeans with flaws and yes even blatant holes are at the height of being fashionable.

The state of Massachusetts has made it illegal to throw out clothing and other textiles, no matter what shape they are in. Trashin’ is no longer in fashion.

Well, someone had to be first.

The new law is actually not all that new having gone into effect last November. Massachusetts residents are breaking the law if they are not recycling their used garments. Of course, there are exceptions. Those worn-out, torn-up jeans must be dry, not infested with insects, or in any other way contaminated.

The new law was actually proposed many years ago. The purpose was to keep textiles out of landfills and other garbage processing facilities.

Massachusetts as a state exports 2 million tons of solid waste to other states, according to the nonprofit Waste Zero. Half of the trash put into landfills in New Hampshire comes from Massachusetts.

However, you do need to know this:

Before anyone totally freaks out wondering how they're ever gonna get rid of a pair of jeans that they no longer want again although the ban applies to both individuals and businesses enforcement will not generally happen with individuals. The target is geared toward the business community more than the individual.

So, if you are not one to drop off your no longer wanted clothing to a charity like Salvation Army or a local church or community shelter, time to be looking for places to recycle materials that we haven't so far generally recycled.

Like those old, ripped up, torn up, faded out, hangin'-by-a-thread jeans.