A new textile recovery program is being launched in the Kempsey Shire to provide residents with a convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted textiles.
In a partnership between Kempsey Shire Council in New South Wales, Midwaste, and Upcycle 4 Better, the initiative is designed to reduce the amount of clothing and other fabric items ending up in landfill.
Residents are encouraged to take textile items to the new drop-off zone at the Kempsey Waste Management Centre on Crescent Head Road.
Accepted items include clothes from everyday wear to specialty pieces such as sportswear and heels, accessories such as belts, ties, summer hats, and caps can also be donated, as well as home linens including pillowcases, flat sheets, and bathrobes, soft toys and fabric dolls.
However, the council said it is important to note that bulky items such as doonas, pillows, and furniture-related textiles are not accepted.
By focusing on manageable items, the program ensures that collected materials can be efficiently sorted and processed for reuse or recycling.
The council said textile waste in Australia poses a great risk, with the country the second biggest consumer of textiles in the world, just behind the United States of America.
On average, an individual buys 27 kilograms of new fashion and textiles each year, which is twice the global average of 13 kilograms per person.
The result is that a significant amount of clothing ends up in landfill each year with statistics showing that 200,000 tonnes of textiles, or the equivalent weight of almost four Sydney Harbour Bridges, is thrown out every year in Australia.
Upcycle 4 Better operates its own facility and prioritises the mending and resale of textiles that are of good enough quality for shops. It has a team dedicated to upcycling fabrics into new items for upcycled collection.
What cannot be worn or remade into something new can still be used as products for industrial use, before options of recycling and downcycling. The company follows a Zero Waste Policy to optimise landfill waste diversion.
For more information, https://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/Home
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