#GreatNewsThursday – New Textile Recovery Boxes available at Council’s Transfer Stations – drop off your items for free!

Strathbogie Shire Council has partnered with UpCycle4Better (U4B) to provide the Strathbogie community with an opportunity to dispose of textile items for upcycling.

Mayor Cr Laura Binks said residents could drop of items such as clothing, shoes, home textiles, soft toys, accessories and underwear.

“As long as it is dry, it can be accepted,” she said.

“This fantastic initiative gives residents peace of mind knowing these products will be upcycled rather than ending up in landfill.”

Australians buy about 27kg of fashion and textiles per year, of which we dispose 93 per cent. Australia has 1,168 operational landfills that receive more than 20 million tonnes of textile waste each year.

“With such high levels of textile waste, Council encourages community to think carefully before making purchases,” Cr Binks said.

“Next, if items you no longer need or use are in good quality, you should donate to your local opportunity shop and second-hand stores to ensure we can divert as much waste from landfill as possible.

“Finally, we are excited for our residents to take up this fantastic recycling service, for all those clothing and textile items which can’t be reduced, reused, or donated.”

Textiles collected in the recovery boxes are sent to a sorting facility where they are categorised into over 500 different streams.

The team at U4B prioritise reusing items initially, as it requires little or no resources to keep products in use. When repairable, U4B will work to give a fresh look to otherwise re-wearable items, so they can head back into local shops for the community.

The second priority goes to upcycling – which means garments or textiles are deconstructed (think zippers taken off, buttons and trims removed, etc) to have their parts reused in a different way.

These items can be made into bags, hats, pet beds and a myriad other items which are offered to zero waste stores and charities. The buttons and zips etc are also repurposed.

Lastly, U4B recycles what cannot be upcycled: either repurposing into industry cloths if the material suits or into new fibres.

Cr Binks said this service was available to the general public only.

“Any commercial operators, including charities, should contact U4B directly so they can engage with the provider to have a dedicated service,” she said.

These Textile Recovery Boxes will be placed at the Euroa, Nagambie, Violet Town and Avenel transfer stations in the coming weeks.

You can find Council’s Transfer Station’s opening hours and addresses on the Council website via https://www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/services/rubbish/transfer-stations/