Kempsey Shire Launches New Textile Recovery Program to Reduce Landfill

Published on 09 September 2024

A new textile recovery program is being launched in the Kempsey Shire, in a partnership between Kempsey Shire Council, Midwaste, and Upcycle 4 Better, providing residents with a convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted textiles. This initiative is designed to reduce the amount of clothing and other fabric items ending up in landfill, promoting a more sustainable future for the community.

Residents are encouraged to bring a wide variety of textile items to the new drop-off zone at the Kempsey Waste Management Centre on Crescent Head Road. Accepted items include clothes from everyday wear to specialty pieces like sportswear and heels, accessories such as belts, ties, summer hats, and caps can also be donated, as well as home linens including pillowcases, flat sheets, and bathrobes. Soft toys and fabric dolls are welcome too.

However, it's important to note that bulky items such as doonas, pillows, and furniture-related textiles are not accepted. By focusing on manageable items, the program ensures that collected materials can be efficiently sorted and processed for reuse or recycling.

Textile waste in Australia is far greater than we care to think - our nation is the second biggest consumer of textiles in the world, just behind the USA. On average, each of us buys 27 kg of new fashion and textiles each year, which is twice the global average of 13kg per person. The result is that a significant amount of clothing ends up in landfill each year with statistics showing that 200,000 tonnes of textiles, or the equivalent weight of almost four Sydney Harbour Bridges, is thrown out every year in Australia.

Upcycle 4 Better operate their own facility and prioritise the mending and resale of textiles that are of good enough quality for shops, and have a team dedicated to upcycling fabrics into new items for its upcycled collection.

What cannot be worn or remade into something new can still be used as products for industrial use, before options of recycling and downcycling. The company follows a Zero Waste Policy to optimise landfill waste diversion.