Don't just throw away tatty textiles

A TRIAL textile collection service is being set up in Midlothian, to try and cut the amount of waste going to landfill.

Each year, Midlothian households throw approximately 1300 tonnes of textiles into landfill, and the cost to the council over the next year is expected to be nearly 90,000.

A trial textile collection service has now been launched as part of an effort to reduce the amount of household waste going to landfill.

People in Bonnyrigg, where the six-month trial is taking place, are being encouraged to recycle their textiles through the service. Special textile recycling bags have been delivered to 5,000 homes in the area.

Councillor Wilma Chalmers, cabinet member for commercial services, said: "Recycling textiles not only helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill but could save tens of thousands of pounds in landfill fees and tax charges.

"All textiles can be recycled - even tatty textiles. If textiles cannot be reused as clothes then these will be recycled as rags for industry or even stuffing for mattresses."

The council added that people who give clothes and textiles to their favourite charities should continue doing so.