Mitchell Shire Council in Victoria has teamed up with Upcycle4Better to offer free textile recycling drop-off points at two resource recovery centres.
The initiative supports council’s commitment to divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.
Community members can take worn-out and damaged clothing and other items such as hats and caps, belts and ties, shoes, pillowcases, flat sheets, and soft toys unsuitable for reuse or donation to both sites.
The textiles are then collected by Upcycle4Better where the items are sorted and transformed into sustainable products.
On average, Australians buy about 27 kilograms of fashion and textiles each year, of which 93 per cent end up in landfill, creating 20 million tonnes of waste each year.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Louise Bannister said that by making textile recycling more accessible, the council hopes to inspire everyone to take part in creating a more sustainable future.
“Now worn out and damaged textiles that are not suitable to be donated can be recycled and repurposed for another life, rather than ending up in landfill,” Bannister said.
For more information, visit: www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.au
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