Under-threat clothing banks 'could be replaced'

There could be a lifeline for clothing bins after the local authority has confirmed it is exploring ways to replace six that the Salvation Army is shutting.

Bedford Borough Council said it was also considering introducing a collection service for textiles, after the Christian charity blamed lower resale prices and higher transport and running costs for its decision to stop operating the dropping points.

Nicola Gribble, council Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: "We know how important recycling is to our residents and we are working to find other options."

A Salvation Army spokesperson said: "Reducing the number of clothing banks will enable us to use our resources more effectively."

The charity has about 8,000 clothing banks across the country, including the six in the Bedford council district.

It blamed its decision on a drop in interest in second-hand clothing which it said was due to an increase in cheap, new, low-quality clothing available in regular high street stores and online.

Conservative-run Bedford Borough Council said it was looking into a free monthly kerbside collection service for textiles after more than half of responders to its Resources Waste Strategy consultation said they would be keen to use it.

In the meantime, Gribble said people should "keep donating or reusing good quality clothes through other routes, such as charity shops, retail stores and online".

She added they should not "leave bags at or beside removed banks as it creates a mess and may lead to a fixed penalty notice".

The authority also advised that clothing and shoes must not be placed in household orange-lidded wheelie bins as they would not be collected if textiles were found inside.

A number of mini-recycling centres and the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Barkers Lane, Bedford, would still accept textiles and residents were also being encouraged to repair items at home or take them to a local clothing alteration company or a Bedford Repair Café event.

A Salvation Army spokesperson said: "We are always very grateful when people make the effort to donate their clothing, and we thought very carefully before making the difficult decision to remove some of our clothing banks in Bedford.

"We are still in need of good quality second-hand clothing in our charity shops [including one on Bedford High Street] and donation centres, so please visit our website to find your nearest donation point or you can donate to us by post."

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