Clothes and textiles
Many items of clothing, shoes and household linen are discarded because they are no longer fashionable or have become too large or small. Last year over half a million tonnes worth of textiles was either burned or buried in landfill (Nathans Wastesavers 2004). Such items are welcomed by charity shops, Retro Clothing companies as well as in countries where such items are expensive to buy new or simply unavailable.
To find out where you can recycle textiles see Recycling Centres and Recycling Points
How to Recycle Your Textiles
Perth and Kinross Council, in partnership with Nathans Wastesavers have many sites throughout the area where you can recycle your textiles. Just place the items inside plastic bags (to keep them clean and dry) and place them in the textile bank. The types of items you can recycle include:
- items of clothing
- curtains, net curtains, bedspreads, quilt covers, tablecloths
- handbags
- pairs of shoes (please keep them together in plastic bags)
- belts
Who uses the Recycled Textiles?
There are a three main uses for recycled textiles.
- Top quality used clothing, shoes, handbags and belts are utilised by the Retro Used Clothing Market and charity shops within the UK but also exported abroad. Examples of such countries include Africa, India, Pakistan, Yemen and Eastern Europe. When the textiles are exported to Africa they are often sold on market stalls which specialise in a particular type of clothing or shoes.
- Garments which are no longer fit for wearing or textiles that can no longer be used for their original purpose are converted into industrial wipers and used by industries such as Oil and Gas; Printing, Auto Trade or Heavy Industry.
- Other suitable textiles are graded for fibre reclamation and filling products such as rugs or mattresses.
