Ever wonder what happens to all those clothes that get thrown out? Not the ones taken to the Goodwill or the Salvation Army, but those that end up in the waste centers and landfills across the world. Yes, it’s true.

In NYC alone, and estimated 386 million tons of textile waste make their way through the city waste stream. That’s a lot of shirts, socks and pants.

Wearable Collections clothing recycling is out to change that. This group was founded back in 2000, long before the green movement took on the stream it has today.

Wearable Collections offers recycling receptacles in buildings around the city, making it easier for residents to drop off clothing which can be recycled and worn again.

What makes Wearable Collections special:

What makes Wearable Collections special is our ability to work with you to ensure a successful clothing recovery drive. Whether you are a local charity, school group, church, temple, or sports club, we can help you, publicize your clothing recovery drive, pick up the clothing after it’s been collected, and ensure that the clothing gets into the hands of people who need it—people as far away as Africa, Central America, and South America.

If you’re in the NY area, visit Wearable Collection to find a bin near you.

Earth2Tech has released a really cool map they’re calling Earth2Tech’s 101 Cleantech Startups. The map allows you to see where some of the coolest green startup companies are located and the industry they’re involved in. May be an interesting place to start if you’re looking for a green career.

The company has also released maps for the Biofuels Deathwatch and the Coal Deathwatch.

Greenbiz is reporting news from Beaverton, Ore., that Nike has teamed up with Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash to produce a shoe that is mostly made from manufacturing waste and other materials that would normally be discarded.

The shoe is part of a bigger ‘green’ initiative that Nike is working towards that would allow their footwear to meet sustainability standards by 2011.

Nash was planning on wearing the show during the NBA All-Star game on Sunday.

“Any opportunity to promote the environment and preserve our planet is a step in the right direction”
—Steve Nash

Whole Foods announces Bring Your On Bag (BYOB) initiative to help the environment.

From Whole Foods:

“Paper or plastic?” is soon to be a question of the past at our stores. When you come to shop, bring any bags you have on hand. Really, any bag will do – old, new, paper, plastic, fabric, even backpacks or woven baskets! You’ll feel good about helping our environment and we’ll even give you a refund of at least 5 cents per bag.

Whole Foods will be offering a refund of at least 5 cents per bag.