In 2006 residents in South Ayrshire recycled a total of 82,150 kgs of textiles, a massive increase from the 68,375 kgs recycled in 2005.

During 2006 South Ayrshire Council, in partnership with Nathans WasteSavers, rolled out an additional 21 textile banks across South Ayrshire.  This resulted in the residents in South Ayrshire recycling an additional 13, 775 kgs of clothing and shoes.

All the recycled clothes and shoes are taken to Nathans WasteSavers depot in Denny where they are sorted.  Useful clothing and shoes are sold to markets in Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia.  Garments not suitable for reuse are recycled into textile fibres, mattress felt and wiping cloths.  Funds raised from the sale of the goods are passed back to various charities including Capability Scotland, Multiple Sclerosis Society and The Sick Kids Friends Foundation.

Councillor Alistair Kerr, Convener of the Council’s Commercial and Business Services Committee said:  “It is important that everyone recycles and reuses items wherever possible.  The tremendous effort made by the residents of South Ayrshire during 2006 has resulted in clothes and shoes in good condition being reused, other items being recycled and a number of charities benefiting from funds raised from the sale of textiles.  I would like to thank everyone in South Ayrshire for their tremendous efforts and I hope that this continues during 2007 so that we can beat our 2006 total in 2007.”

Residents in South Ayrshire can help the Council to meet its recycling targets by using the textile banks provided. The locations of the textile banks can be found by viewing
Mini Recycling Centres or by contacting staff on telephone number 0845 601 2020. 

For further information about waste matters in South Ayrshire view our wastemanagement information or contact a member of staff on telephone number 01292 611755.

Councillor Kerr is pictured at the textile recycling bank in Tarbolton getting rid of some unwanted clothing.

February 2006