New textile banks make recycling even easier

IT’s now even easier to recycle old and unwanted items of clothing at the new textile banks located around the county.

A further 12 new banks are expected to be in place in the county by the end of September bringing the total to 52.

All textiles, clothing, household linens, shoes and accessories can be reused or recycled. Even worn or old items can be recycled as long as they are clean.

They cannot be recycled in the blue bags but you can put all items in textile recycling banks around the county or give them to a charity shop or jumble sale.

An estimated £140 million worth of used clothing is sent to landfill each year – 350,000 tonnes.

The new banks have a split opening as a health and safety requirement to prevent people getting into the containers or from reaching in to pull the contents out.

Previously the advice was to bag clothing and not place loose materials into the banks, but with the new banks people are being advised to rip the bags and push the clothing loose inside if the bag will not fit.

Executive board member for Technical Services, Cllr Colin Evans, said: “It’s never been easier to recycle your items of clothing with more new textile banks available around the county. If clothes do not fit in even with smaller bags then residents are being urged to rip the bag open and push the clothing inside the bank to make it easier. Shoes need to be kept in pairs or tied together if laced.”

Any clothes left on the floor near the banks will be classed as fly tipping and could result in a fixed penalty notice of £75.

For more information on where your nearest textile bank is please visit http://ilocal.carmarthenshire.gov.uk.