Before you throw any domestic textiles out you should consider recycling them. A wide variety of domestic textiles can be reused or recycled by using the charity textile banks sited throughout the area.
Currently over 700,000 tonnes of recyclable textiles are landfilled in the UK each year, and these items could be reused or recycled.
Recycling textiles can benefit charities (by donating items to charity shops) as well as the environment (through reduced landfill.
All items are sorted and graded locally according to type and material for reuse nationally and internationally.
Which textiles can I recycle?
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Clothing of all sizes and materials is accepted, including adult garments, children’s wear and baby wear.
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Textiles whether worn, nearly new or unused are required for reuse, resale and recycling in Britain and abroad.
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Underwear including pants, brassieres and paired socks are required.
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Domestic textiles, such as curtains, sheets, blankets quilts, pillows (feather filled and synthetic), and towels are also needed. Electric blankets (whether working or not) can also be recycled using the textile banks.
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Shoes, in pairs and held together with a strong elastic band, are in demand including formal and casual shoes, sports shoes, boots and wellingtons. Again all sizes and styles are required including adult, children’s and baby wear.
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Accessories, such as handbags and belts, can also be deposited in the textile banks.
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Children’s soft toys can also be donated.
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Clean dry textiles should be placed in supermarket carrier bags and then deposited in the textile banks.
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Damaged or worn items are turned into industrial wipers or shredded for blanket making or as industrial stuffing.
A full list of textile recycling points is available on the 'Recyling points' page.|
