Textile Recycling

We are working in Partnership with BCR Global Textiles, who have developed a collection scheme and education and activity pack for primary schools. Schools participating in the scheme will receive an information pack containing teachers notes and exercises for the children to complete. There are also stickers and an educational, interactive DVD. Toby Tog is promoting recycling in schools using this scheme.

In return for collecting textiles for recycling BCR will donate an agreed sum of money, dependant upon the weight, to the school. It is hoped that the recycling scheme will take place every term, however if required, more collections will be arranged.

BCR collect and sort the textiles and shoes for recycling. The wearable textiles (70%) are exported to countries such as West and East Africa, Kenya, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Poland, and Latvia.

Many jobs are created in these countries by business people who buy the clothing to sell in their local markets, shops, etc. Once again the staff are unskilled and rely heavily on the employment to feed their families. The clothing and shoes are sold to people who could not possible afford to buy new clothes and this creates a feeling of pride and well being in the community. The amount of clothing exported to these countries also helps improve the UK's balance of trade

Unwearable clothing is sold onto specialist companies to be recycled and waste is kept to an absolute minimum

BCR Global textiles also provide many of the textile and shoe banks around the borough at the recycling centres.