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Environmental Services Recycling, rubbish and litter
Condemning your old clothes and unwanted textiles to landfill wastes resources, energy and damages the environment.
Although some textile fibres are produced from renewable sources (cotton, hemp, bamboo) most are plastic-based synthetic fibres which use up vital resources.
Energy is needed in the manufacture and transport of goods and to display textiles in retail outlets and shops.
The majority of textiles thrown out as refuse ends up in landfill sites where natural fibres break down releasing green house gases (carbon dioxide and methane), while manmade plastic materials will remain buried intact for years.
Textiles can be recycled using the charity textile banks dotted around the borough. Depending on the condition of the clothing the items may be sold in charity shops to raise money, turned into rags, or used in the manufacturing industry.
Important: Please do not put textiles for recycling in your orange recycling bag or mixed recycling bank.
There are many charity textile banks spread throughout the borough. Usually, they are located at our Recycling Mini Centres and on some Housing estates. To find your nearest textile bank please see Mini Recycling Centres
If you would like to request a textile bank for your Estate please contact Streetline 0207 361 3001.
Textile banks in the Royal Borough are from the following charity organisations: Oxfam, Scope, Traid and Variety Club.
You can take your unwanted clothes straight to your local charity shop. Charity shops rely heavily on donations of old clothes to raise funds for their chosen cause.
You can feel good knowing that you are supporting your favourite charity, whilst reducing the amount you send to landfill at the same time.
Be creative – alter and re-design your clothes or even create new articles and accessories such as bags, scarves, throws and pillow cases.
Be practical – repair your damaged clothes, use old textiles as cleaning cloths or rags, or for use in the garden.
Be generous – organise clothes swapping parties with your friends and family. This is a great way to help the environment whilst catching up with friends and having fun at the same time. Who knows, you might even get yourself a new outfit as a result!
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