Recycling Guide

In the UK, it's estimated that each person discards about 35 items of clothing annually, with nearly half ending up in the bin. However, there are several straightforward ways to ensure your unwanted clothing and textiles are reused or recycled, reducing environmental impact.

Donate for Reuse

If your clothes are in good condition, consider donating them. Many charities and reuse organisations, such as The British Heart Foundation, accept clothing donations and may offer free collection services from your home. Some high street retailers, including Primark and M&S, provide in-store clothing donation banks, often referred to as 'bring back schemes'.

Recycle Worn-Out Textiles

Items that are no longer wearable can still be valuable. These textiles can be recycled into products like padding for chairs and car seats, cleaning cloths, and industrial blankets. To recycle these items:

• Local Authority Collections: Check if your local council offers textile recycling services.
• Recycling Points: Drop off your unwanted items at designated recycling points or textile banks, often located in supermarket and local car parks. You can find your nearest recycling point using the Recycling Locator tool.
• Fundraising Initiatives: If you're involved with schools, churches, or organisations like the Girl Guides or Scouts, some textile companies can arrange collections to help raise funds for your cause.

Additional Options

• At-Home Collections: In certain areas, services like Anglo Recycling offer doorstep collections for clothing donations, with a portion of the proceeds donated to charities.
• Home Textiles Recycling: Retailers such as Dunelm operate textile take-back schemes in select stores, accepting clean home textiles like duvets, pillows, bed linen, towels, curtains, and cushion covers. Items can also be sent directly to their take-back scheme from home.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the amount of clothing and textiles that end up in landfills, contributing to a more sustainable environment.