If your unwanted textiles are in good condition, firstly
consider whether they could be reused by friends or family, or
donate them to charity. Your local charity shop may like to have
your unwanted items. You may also wish to give them away via an
online network such as
Freecycle (new window) or
Freegle (new window).
Textile banks are situated at several
local recycling centres, and these will accept
the following unwanted textiles, whether or not they are in a
reusable or wearable condition:
- Clothing
- Hats
- Scarves
- Gloves
- Sheets
- Towels
- Quilt covers
- Handbags
- Curtains (including net curtains)
Please only place clean and dry items into a textile bank, and
place them in a plastic bag prior to placing them into the bank, to
help keep them dry. Please do not place oily or dirty items into a
textile bank.
Shoes can also be placed in the textile banks, but only if they
are in wearable condition and are a complete pair. Please tie the
laces of pairs of shoes together, or tie them together in a
separate bag, prior to placing them in a textile bank, to ensure
that they remain together as a pair.
What happens to the textiles?
Materials put into clothing banks are sorted and graded for
appropriate destinations. Wearable clothing is sold on to markets
in developing countries. Items that are not wearable, incomplete,
torn, worn out, or otherwise unsuitable for resale remain in the UK
to be used either as cleaning rags in factories or for use in the
flocking and filling industries.