Drop off your unwanted clothes and shoes at one of the city’s recycling banks and you’ll be helping to raise vital funds for local groups and charities.
Since February the council’s textile recycling scheme has raised more than £16,000 for local community groups and projects after residents dropped off around 207 tonnes of unwanted clothes and shoes.
There are currently 65 sites with textile banks across Brighton and Hove and council officers are always keen to hear suggestions from residents for additional sites.
The textile banks are supplied, maintained and operated by European Recycling Company. Textiles are taken to facilities where they are sorted in to different grades with over 60% of items being reused in the first instance.
Wearable items are sold on either in the UK or abroad and the remainder is sold for shredding and re-spinning.
Revenue from the scheme goes towards improving services in the city, while 40% is set aside for grants to local community groups and charities.
Environment councillor Gill Mitchell, said: “The new year is a great time to de-clutter and our textile recycling scheme provides the perfect incentive with money raised going directly to local good causes.
“It’s great that, after just a few months, residents have dropped off enough clothes and shoes to raise more than £16k for community groups.
“We hope that this fantastic start will encourage many more residents to sort out their unwanted clothes and help fill the recycling banks to the brim.”
To find your nearest recycling bank and for information about how to apply for the incentive scheme visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/textiles
Can you tell us how much money the European Textile company make then? As I understand it, the funds raised from donations made at textiles banks previously went entirely to charities. Does this mean that some of my donations are making profit for a company?