Textile recycling

In Southampton last year, nearly 160 tonnes of textiles were collected from local recycling banks. All clothes, accessories and shoes you no longer want are valuable; as long as they are clean someone will want them. Recycling textiles reduces the amount of landfill space being used, reduces the need for new resources and makes savings on energy.

Did You know?

The Reclamation Association estimates that we in the UK only recycle about 25 per cent of our unwanted textiles.

What can go in the banks?

As long as the items are clean and are in plastic bags, you can put the following items in your local textile recycling bank:

• All clothes - including coats, suits, underwear and night clothes;

• Hats, scarves and gloves;

• Belts, braces and handbags;

• All shoes - including boots and slippers;

• All household linen - including tablecloths, sheets and pillowcases, blankets, towels and curtains;

• Any worn out linen or clothing as long as it is clean (no oily or paint covered rags);

How can you get involved?

In Southampton there are a number of textile recycling banks, operated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, The Salvation Army, Oxfam and Traid, where you can take your unwanted textiles for recycling.

• Bitterne: Sainsburys, Peartree Gardens.

• Lordshill: The Woodman PH, Lordswood Road.

• Shirley: Salvation Army, Victor Street.

• Maybush: Green Park, Wimpson Lane.

• Sholing: Sholing Infant School, Heath Road.

• Millbrook: Tesco, Tebourba Way.

• Woolston: Oakbank Car Park.

• Portswood: Westridge Road.

Alternatively you can take your used clothing direct to your local charity shop.

To find your nearest textile bank please use this map where all recycling bring sites are plotted.

Why not team up your organisation with local charities and help make old textiles go further? Just like glass bottles and paper waste you make best use of old or unused clothes and home textiles by recycling them.

Responsible organisations are being asked to collect as much textiles as they can for their chosen charity.

There’s no right way of doing it – from one day wardrobe clearouts to dedicated collection weeks or months. Simply choose a charity and think of an innovative way to engage your employees, members or friends.

Charities need your help:

Click on a logo to find out more and start giving now just contact them directly.

We throw away millions of items of clothing every year. These are clothes that could be generating much needed income for good causes.

Don’t forget to tell us what results you’ve had – and we’ll shout about them for you – It’s all great PR.

Click here to email Oxfam and let them know you're interested in partnering up.	Click here to email Bag It Up and let them know you're interested in partnering up.	Click here to email The Salvation Army and let them know you're interested in partnering up.
Click here to email Bag2School Limited and let them know you're interested.	Click here to email Traid and let them know you're interested.	Click here to email British Heart Foundation and let them know you're interested.
Click here to email Air Ambulance and let them know you're interested.	Keep up to date with the green teams across the city, join us on Facebook: Southampton's Green Living Room.	Make sure you're getting it right: Find out what you can and can't recycle at home.