September 14, 2015
Denim collection at Clean & Green and Maize Days set
Old jeans become insulation for needy homes
MURPHY (September 14, 2015) A new wrinkle, connected to some old wrinkles, is being added to the Murphy Clean & Green recycling event, scheduled for Oct. 10, says Candy McQuiston, Customer Service Manager.
“Those old wrinkled jeans that no one wears and just take up space in the closet can now serve a real purpose,” she said. “Local Girl Scouts will take any and all denim articles of clothing and, through a national program, convert the denim into insulation for homes. The project is being led by Ashley Rodda, a local Girl Scout working toward a Gold Award.”
Called the Blue Jeans Go Green denim recycling program, the Girl Scouts, led by Rodda, will set up a collection point at the Oct. 10 Murphy Clean & Green event and will also have a similar collection booth at the Murphy Maize Days festival, set for Saturday, Sept. 26. Both events occur at the Murphy Municipal Complex, 206 North Murphy Road.
The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. It’s only open to girls in high school, and challenges them to create a positive change in the world. The change is required to be long-term, rather than temporary. The program includes seven steps, requiring the aspirant to 1) identify an issue, 2) investigate it thoroughly, 3) recruit help and build a team, 4) create a plan, 5) present the plan and gather feedback, 6) take action, and 7) educate and inspire.
“Ashley is meeting all of these criteria and the City of Murphy is proud to be part of the process,” said McQuiston.
The Clean & Green event starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10, whereas Murphy Maize Days runs from 10 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 26.
All denim collected through the program, regardless of color, is recycled into UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation, and a portion of it, up to approximately 250,000 square feet, will be distributed to help communities in need each year. Rodda says the program allows residents the opportunity to help provide eco-friendly insulation to underprivileged communities.
“Recycling the denim also lessens the load at the local landfills,” she said. “This is truly win-win. Denim makes its way to its next life as insulation, and the landfill gets its life extended, even if only slightly.”
Children’s, teen and adult sizes of jean jackets, pants, skirts or any other article of clothing are welcome. “We will accept any denim, in any condition,” said Rodda.
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