Mixed rag recycling.

I have been doing some research about mixed rag recycling. There are many companies out there that do this, but now i just need to figure out where/how there is money to be made in this:
Secondhand clothes, wiping clothes, textile reminants, used clothing, vintage clothing.
Mixed Rag Recycling - ALA Recycling Industries
Rags 4 Recycle

re-selling clothes and things that charity organisations can't, things like old t-shirts make good rags, towels ect.
mechanics ect buy bags of rags, you'd be supprised how much a bag of rags costs.
good cotton t-shirts cut up sell for over $1 a pound, the're used for polishing and buffing.

White T-Shirts: free of colour, ideal for the Fibre Glass, Stone Masonry, spray painters etc.
Coloured T-Shirts: popular with the printing and automotive industry etc
White Sheet: suitable for the glass and fibre glass industry.
Towel: mainly used in the automotive and catering industries.
Mechanics Mix: assorted coloured rag general purpose application.

I have a textile recycler by me that I sell clothes,shoes,belts and purses to. Anything that can be worn is shipped over seas to third world countries. Clothes that can not be worn are recycled into shop rags. Prices range from .10# to .25#. This same place sells gaylords of electronics, smal kitchen appliances for 50.00 each. I will some times bring a load of clothes in trade for a gaylord or two depending on how much clothes I bring. Works out good for me.

I see our local newspaper advertising,looking for clean cotton rags,paying by the pound. they use them to wipe down the type,or plates.

Ive tried to tell my wife when she is donating clothes in a drop off box, that they will take clothes that are worn or stained as they can sell the fabric as is. She always wants to throw them away...

This is an interesting idea, on the selling of rags. I've heard there are people in some countries whose entire jobs are to be rag pickers, collecting any bits of textiles to sell.

Hmmm. So many women I know throw clothes away, all the time. I might think about intervening. It sounds like an open niche.

I talked to a company out of Chicago that was paying .30 per pound for used textiles, which included bedding, towels, curtains, and such. Downside is they want semi loads at a time but pick up is free.

Is it mainly cotton that works for rags?

I've been searching for one of these for ever in the Arizona State (if anyone knows of some?). All people want is reusable aka resellable clothing.

I know that in the UK this is a big thing.

We used rags that we brought, in the workshop. We paid well for them & correct grading was essential.

I have the idea from somewhere that being rag cutter can earn you over $50,000 a year here. Theres one main firm here & the owner is ledgend about the honestly of his workers...
Main concern was speed of work, not getting 'stuck' by sharp stuff in the clothing and grading. Gradings where the $$ is.

Yeah, I think theres $$$ in it

Certain rags are essential for papermaking, like with paper money.

My 14 year old son busted his heavy punching bag that thing is like 60 lbs. Guess what it is filled with? Shredded clothing fabric.

Good clothes that you donate can be a tax write off.