At least seven thrift shops in central St. Lawrence County and three government agencies are joining for a major textile recycling undertaking to include drapes, blankets, purses, stuffed animals as well as clothing.

The nationwide textile recovery program “Clothes the Loop” continues through Saturday, Nov. 22 in St. Lawrence County.

People are being asked to drop off assorted textile items, whether they are in good shape or not, to keep them out of landfills and recycle them.

With the help of the St. Lawrence County Environmental Management Council, the county Solid Waste Department, the recycling program at the Development Authority of Northern New York, and the Local Living Venture, the leftover items not wanted by the thrift stores will be transported to recycling, re-use and rag facilities in the state.

They will take, clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, towels, draperies, stuffed animals and more.

Wet, mildewed, moldy or smelly items are not wanted.

In the US, about 85 percent of unwanted textiles are land-filled; only 15 percent are donated to thrift stores.

Here is a list of places in St. Lawrence County accepting textile items through Saturday:

• C.O.R.C. Thrift Store

8 Willow St. Potsdam

315-265-3940

Open Tue-Sat 11am - 5pm

Generally accepts clothing and other textiles not stained or ripped. Only items in very good condition normally - no rips, tears, etc. For "Clothes The Loop Week," they will accept all textiles, including "rag-bin" material.

• Kidz Klozet and More

145 Market St. (SeaComm Plaza), Potsdam

315-274-9140

Open Mon-Sat 9am - 5pm

Generally accepts all clothing and other textiles except stuffed animals. Sends extra items to the Third World for repair and re-use. Must be bagged, not boxed.

For "Clothes The Loop Week", they will accept: all textiles, including "rag-bin" material, as per their usual policy. Will also accept stuffed animals, but this week only! MUST be bagged, cannot accept items in boxes please.

• Canton Neighborhood Center

5 West Street Canton

315-386-3541

Open M-F 8 - 3 pm (no weekend hours)

Generally accepts clothing and other textiles not stained or ripped. Only items in very good condition normally - no rips, tears, etc.

For "Clothes The Loop Week" they will accept all textiles, including "rag-bin" material.

• A-Z Thrift Store

47 Riverside Drive, Canton

315-386-2869

Open Tu 8:30 - 4, W-F 11 - 6, Sat 10 - 3

Accepting donations on a pre-arranged basis only: call to make arrangements.

Generally accepts clothing and other textiles not stained or ripped. Only items in very good condition normally - no rips, tears, etc.

For "Clothes The Loop Week" they will accept: all textiles, including "rag-bin" material. • Church and Community Thrift Store

7 Main Street, Canton

315-386-3534

Open M-F 9:30am - 3:30pm (no weekend hours)

Generally accepts clothing only, not stained or ripped, no other textiles. Only items in very good condition normally - no rips, tears, etc.

For "Clothes The Loop Week" they will accept all textiles, including "rag-bin" material.

• St. James Thrift Shop

164 East Main St., Gouverneur (near North and South Gordon Streets)

315-323-2654

Open M-Sat 10am - 2pm by appointment only.

Generally accepts clothing and other household textiles, not stained or ripped. Only items in very good condition normally - no rips, tears, etc. Appointment required.

For "Clothes The Loop Week" they will accept all textiles, including "rag-bin" material.

• Colton-Pierrepont Central School

If you're willing to sort for these items only, the school's Environmental Club/Green Team is collecting jeans and tee-shirts only, from which they will make reusable shopping bags for handing out at Winterfest.

• SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center

For registered daycare families only, not open to the public.

Drop-off M-F.

• St. Lawrence University: Barn Good Thrift Store

For SLU employees and students only