☹️ Sadly the recycling facility is not the place for unwanted clothes or shoes, so these items don't go in your yellow-lidded recycling bin. Textile recycling is a very different ball-game to plastics, metals, glass and paper products.

😊The good news is that most unwanted clothing or shoes can be recycled or repurposed in some way, which is much better than going to landfill.

🤔The guide below will help work out options to avoid landfill, and please, never put them in your recycling bin!

1. In good condition? Would you give it to a friend? Then you can donate to any Op Shop – they re-sell clothes and shoes and use the $ to help the community.

2. Good for rags? Good for cleaning! Why spend $ on sponges and cloths that fall apart, when you can have a bucket-load of rags that can be washed again and again? Also cut up for patches, replacing zips, buttons and worn elastic.

3. Recycle – old clothes and shoes can be recycled by some local retailers and online companies no matter what their condition – some even offer store credit! Find more info here: https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/clothing/

🧐Top Tip – save old sheets/doona covers and turn them into rubbish bin liners - never have to buy a plastic rubbish bag again! Simple to sew (hand sew even!) and make two – when the rubbish goes in the wheelie bin, the dirty cloth liner goes in the wash and the clean one in your bin ready to use.

Any other ideas for re-purposing textiles or shoes? Please share!

📷 Cleanaway – contaminated conveyor belt at recycling facility