Did you know that in the UK, around 49% of all unwanted textiles are thrown in the rubbish bin each year? The good news is that there are lots of simple ways to keep clothing in use, and out of the bin.
Clothes that are in good condition can be donated and sold for re-use. This is an important way to minimise the overall impact that clothing has on our environment.
• Donate items to registered charities and re-use organisations - some, such as The British Heart Foundation, offer a free collection service from your home.
• Many high street retailers such as Primark and M&S offer clothing donation banks in-store. These are sometimes called ‘bring back schemes’. • If you are fundraising for your school, church or organisations such as Girl Guides or Scouts, there are textile companies who can arrange a collection to help you to raise money for your cause.
• Ask a local animal shelter or veterinary hospital if they could use them. They may accept old duvets, quilts pillows and cushions to help keep animals warm and comfortable.
• Try listing them on a clothes swap or reselling sites. But if you’ve got clothes full of holes or otherwise beyond repair, you can still recycle them. Pop them into a bag and take them to your favourite charity shop. When you hand them in tell them ‘This is for the Rag Bin’. These items are recycled and made into new items, such as padding for chairs and car seats, cleaning cloths and industrial blankets.
Do not dispose of textiles at home.
You can drop off your unwanted items at recycling points and clothing and textile banks in supermarket and local car parks at a time to suit you – enter your postcode below to find your nearest. www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/clothing-textiles-0