Cotton on to recycling your clothes #CottonOn



Recycling your clothes: everything you need to know 

Almost all of your clothes can be recycled. Even if they’re stained, ripped or past their best, they aren’t rubbish. Cotton on to recycling your clothes and shoes so you never need to bin them again 






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You can recycle your unwanted clothes in textile banks at any of our 20 recycling centres or at supermarkets and car parks – even your odd socks

Why recycle old clothes?

Because there’s a better place for them than the bin! Just because your old clothes don’t fit, doesn’t mean they can’t serve a purpose. Old clothes, whatever their condition, contain valuable fibres than be turned into other things. When you recycle them, we can keep them in use for longer, meaning we don’t need to make new materials. 

How do I recycle old clothes?

The best thing is, it’s really simple. There are clothing banks on all of the 20 recycling centres across Greater Manchester, as well as in supermarket carparks and in some clothing shops. All you need to do is make sure they’re dry and pop them in a bag. We’ll do the rest and make sure they’re turned into something new. 

What happens to clothes I recycle?

They’re collected from clothing banks and hand-sorted right here in Greater Manchester. Any clothes that aren’t in good enough condition to be reworn will be made into something new. This might be horse bedding, carpet underlay or even car seats. Nothing goes to waste. 




Did you know…



Cotton On

It takes about 2,700 litres of water to produce one cotton shirt

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Each person in the UK throws 35 items of clothing into the bin every year

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£140 million worth of used but still wearable clothing goes to waste in the UK every year

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All clothing put into textile banks at recycling centres are collected and sorted for reuse by our supplier in Bolton



Top tips for a sustainable wardrobe…










FAQs

What is a textile?

Anything material that is spun, woven, or knitted from either natural or artificial fibres. 

Where can I take clothes and textiles I no longer want or need?

You can donate clothes in a good condition to a charity shop.

You can take bagged clothes and textiles in any condition, including items not suitable for reuse i.e. ripped or stained to your local recycling centre and put them in the textile bin.

Do textile banks only take clothes?

No, you can also donate paired shoes, belts, bags and some even take accessories.







COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS