Recycling old (unwearable) clothes/rags

jackieblack

This isn’t moneysaving, but does anyone know if there is anywhere that will take a bag of old clothes (not good enough for charity shop) to be recycled? (I am on Essex/Suffolk birder in case that makes a difference.)

Our local recycling points only take wearable clothing - these are no longer fit for wearing, fabric isn’t suitable for cleaning cloths and I can’t repurpose them.

I know textiles can be recycled and really don’t want to send these things to landfill, but am struggling to find anywhere that will take them.

comeandgo

Are their no cloth bins beside any glass or recycling bins at any of the supermarkets?

DigForVictory

Where's your nearest H&M? As they'll take the unspeakable stuff & Still give you a £5 voucher, which may sort a birthday or Christmas gift.

[Deleted User]

I volunteer in a charity shop and we have a regular once a week rag collection for items donated that are too worn or damaged to sell on and get a payment by weight for the sacks taken away, It might be worth asking if the charity shops nearby do likewise?

pavlovs_dog

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I volunteer in a charity shop and we have a regular once a week rag collection for items donated that are too worn or damaged to sell on and get a payment by weight for the sacks taken away, It might be worth asking if the charity shops nearby do likewise?

our local British Heart Foundation accept rags/textiles for recycling

buildersdaughter

Most of the bigger charity shops take rags for recycling, but some don't, so check. You can always take them to one of those shops that buys rags by weight, and donate proceeds to charity. However, you need a large bag to make it worthwhile!

jackieblack

comeandgo wrote: »

Are their no cloth bins beside any glass or recycling bins at any of the supermarkets?

Yes, but they all state that they only want wearable items.

jackieblack

DigForVictory wrote: »

Where's your nearest H&M? As they'll take the unspeakable stuff & Still give you a £5 voucher, which may sort a birthday or Christmas gift.

Thanks! I didn’t know about this!
I only go into the (big) town a few times a year, but will take my bag next time I go

jackieblack

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I volunteer in a charity shop and we have a regular once a week rag collection for items donated that are too worn or damaged to sell on and get a payment by weight for the sacks taken away, It might be worth asking if the charity shops nearby do likewise?

Thanks, I have asked in the 2 CSs in my most local (small) town but neither wanted them.

buildersdaughter wrote: »

Most of the bigger charity shops take rags for recycling, but some don't, so check. You can always take them to one of those shops that buys rags by weight, and donate proceeds to charity. However, you need a large bag to make it worthwhile!

Thanks, but I’ve never seen anywhere like that anywhere near me (I didn’t even know such shops exist) :huh:

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

our local British Heart Foundation accept rags/textiles for recycling

Thanks, I think there’s a BHF shop in the big town that I only go to a few times a year (basically when I can’t avoid it or put it off any longer )

jackieblack

Thanks all :T

I’ve been trying, unsuccessfully, to find somewhere to take these for weeks - I should have asked here sooner

Slinky

Age UK will take clean rags. We bag stuff up (usually in an inside out 'charity bag' which has come through the door) then stick a label on saying Clean Rags so that the shop people don't have to sort it again.