By Kim Glovas

NEWTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — A new program designed to reduce the amount of used clothing going into the waste stream kicked off today in Newtown Township and Newtown Borough (Bucks County).

It’s the first ever curbside textile recycling program in the country, according to Community Recycling, a Bucks County-based company that takes clothing and resells them to thrift stores across the country and abroad.

The company teamed up with George Leck Waste Services.

“We started the pilot program with Newtown Township and Newtown Borough residents, which is approximately 3,000 residents,” says Tina Leck, in charge of marketing.  “Within the next four to six weeks, the remainder of our residential customers will receive the reusable duffel bags to be able to put textiles at the curb twice a month.”

She says the reused clothes, shoes, and other items create jobs in low-income areas and revenue sources for communities and charities.  For more information, go to communityrecycling.biz.