Changhua County's clothing recycling event sees top participants exchange 120 items for detergent

Changhua County's popular "Old Clothes Recycling for Good Gifts" event is drawing crowds, with residents eager to exchange discarded textiles for household items. This year's event, featuring three sessions, has already seen two take place, with the highest reward requiring the recycling of 120 pieces of old clothing to receive laundry detergent.

So far, 26 "decluttering masters" have met this demanding threshold. Interestingly, only about 40% of these top recyclers opted for the coveted bottle of laundry detergent, with the majority choosing simpler rewards like bars of soap. This trend has surprised organizers.

Across the two sessions held, a total of 125 people participated, contributing 7,165 pieces of old clothing. The 26 individuals who reached the 120-item goal were responsible for over 40% of the total collected clothes, averaging an impressive 57 items each. The event continues to be a significant draw, with people lining up even before the exchange times begin.

Given the strong public participation and the potential for participants to stockpile clothes for rewards, the Environmental Protection Bureau is exploring a shift in the event's format. They are considering implementing a points-based system. This system would award points for recycling old clothes and other designated materials, which could then be redeemed for promotional items or secondhand goods. The goal is to foster a consistent habit of recycling, making it an integral part of daily life rather than a reward-driven activity.