Think Before You Throw – council urges clothing and textile recycling
Torridge District Council is reminding residents that clean clothing, bedding and other textiles can be placed in the green bag recycling service if they can’t be re-used
Torridge residents are invited to help reduce waste by recycling clothing and textiles through the council’s green bag system.
Torridge District Council is supporting ‘Second Hand September’ with the message’ ‘Think Before You Throw’.
People can help reduce the 1.7 million tonnes of textile waste produced in the UK each year by reusing, repairing or donating clothing and textiles, as well as placing them in their weekly Torridge recycling collection service.
With London Fashion Week running from Thursday, September 17 to the 21 September, it could be the perfect time to gain inspiration and create some new, upcycled outfits.
Any textiles which can’t be repurposed or restyled can be donated to local charity shops, clothing banks or collected by the council.
If you have any clothes or textiles you wish to recycle, put them on top of paper in the green collection bag. The council accepts clean dry clothes, clean pairs of shoes, duvet and pillow covers (but not the duvet or actual pillows) as well as sheets and curtains. Up to three items can be accepted per collection.
Councillor Chris Leather, lead member for operational services at TDC, said: “The amount of textiles which are being thrown away is staggering.
“As a council, we do try to do our bit to help by making it easier for residents to recycle as much as they can by including textiles as part of our roadside collection service.
“September is typically the time when summer turns to autumn, and this is when we often find ourselves going through our wardrobes – so, if you find yourself having a sort out and find any unwanted clothes, remember to please Think Before You Throw and put them in your green collection bag.”