Huge success for textiles recycling scheme

Over 20 tonnes of clothes have been recycled in the first week of The Suffolk Waste Partnership’s new textiles recycling scheme.

Households across Suffolk should have now received an introductory pack containing two specially designed textiles recycling bags. To take part, residents simply need to put their old and worn textiles in the bag, tie the bag securely and place it inside the recycling bin on top of their other loose recyclables. 

By putting the bag at the top of the recycling bin, the council collection teams will clearly see it when they empty the recycling bin and leave a replacement bag.  Residents are advised to contact their local district or borough council if they have not yet received their introductory pack.  A recent analysis of rubbish bins in Suffolk revealed around 7,000 tonnes of clothing and textiles end up in landfill every year. This costs taxpayers more than £600,000 in disposal fees. It is this material that the scheme aims to capture and recycle. However, the SWP is urging residents to continue to donate to charity shops or their local textile banks where they would normally do so.  

Acceptable items are as follows:
All clean clothing, shoes, boots, wellington boots, slippers, hats, scarves, gloves, bed linen, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, handbags, belts, clean underwear, curtains, towels, tea towels and stuffed toys.

Unacceptable items are as follows:
Dirty or oily items, duvets, quilts, sleeping bags, pillows, cushions and carpets.

Unfortunately, the SWP has also received reports of people stealing textiles from inside residents wheelie bins. This is theft and the SWP would seek to ensure anyone caught taking these materials illegally is prosecuted. 

Residents are advised to contact their local authority waste department if they see this happening in their neighbourhoods. The only people authorised to collect the textiles from inside the bins are your local council refuse collection crews. 

Councillor Peter Stevens, chair of the Suffolk Waste Partnership said; “The response so far from the public has been superb. We thank everyone for their incredible support and ask that they continue to recycle their old clothes rather than throwing them in the rubbish bin. 

“I would also encourage everyone to let your local council know if you see anyone other than the refuse collection crews taking textiles from your recycling bin. It’s theft, plain and simple. These people are neither helping Suffolk, our new scheme nor are they affiliated to any reputable organisation or genuine charity.”

Press release issued by the Suffolk Waste Partnership