Textile recovery boxes a hit at local Resource Recovery Centres

Published on 18 April 2024

Unwanted and unusable textiles can now be disposed of for free at Moira Shire Council’s Cobram, Yarrawonga and Numurkah Resource Recovery Centres. The recovery boxes, provided by Upcycle4Better, ensure that any deposited textiles are diverted from landfill.

Once collected, Upcycle4Better sort the contents of the boxes following a hierarchy system to ensure that what is wearable and repairable for reuse will have a second chance of life. Other items collected will be used for upcycling, repurposing, recycling, and waste to energy. This system of sorting is important, as recycling requires more resources than repairing and repurposing, and waste to energy is a last resort for unusable textiles only.

Moira Shire Council’s Chair Administrator John Tanner AM said that he welcomed the addition of the Upcycle4Better recovery boxes at a number of Council’s Resource Recovery Centres.

“We see far too many textile items ending up in landfill – items that could be repaired or repurposed. These boxes give our residents a location where they can drop off their unusable textile items, knowing that they will be repurposed or recycled in the best possible way,” said Mr Tanner.

“Clothing and accessories, such as belts and hats, shoes and home textiles can all be left in the textile recovery boxes. Please ensure that all items are washed, dried, and placed in plastic bags – this is for the safety of the handling staff and to keep material integrity. All plastic bags used in this collection are recycled, as well.”

“We are still very much encouraging people to donate items in good condition to our local Op Shops, but for unusable textiles, these boxes are a fantastic solution.”

For more information on the textile recovery boxes, including a full list of what can and cannot be deposited, please click here. 

TIPS

No damp items – please do not deposit damp items into the textile recovery boxes. This can create the perfect environment for mould and bacteria, contaminating other items in the box.

Small bags – the chutes on the recovery boxes are not large enough to accept bigger garbage bags. Supermarket sized bags are ideal.