Waste Aware Western Isles
News
Textile Banks in the Isles
Textile (or clothing) banks have been common place on the mainland for many years and have given people an opportunity to put clothes that aren’t in good enough condition to be sold as second hand, to be disposed of in a way in which they will be used again, rather than ending up in landfill. All textiles have a value, no matter what condition they are in. Even if a pair of boots have a hole in them, they can be stripped right back to the raw materials, and the soles can be converted into wiper blades!
Textile Banks in the Isles
Earlier this year, two local charities were approached by a mainland company with a view to helping that company to start providing the service in the Western Isles. The company were going to pay Hebrides Alpha to empty the banks once a fortnight and they were going to pay Bethesda a fee of £250 per year to have their logo on the banks, so that it looked like a local initiative.
The matter came before the Western Isles regional forum of the Community Recycling Network for Scotland and with the help of their Regional Officer, it was decided that it would be much better to keep the money on the island, rather than sell out to a mainland firm.
A meeting was held in Uist in April this year where all interested parties were invited to explore the issue further. Four local charities decided that they would like to get involved in developing the textile banks – Cothrom in Uist, Carthannas Nis for the north of Lewis and Bethesda and Hebrides Alpha working in partnership to cover the rest of Lewis, plus one bank in Harris.
Cothrom, Bethesda and Hebrides Alpha received funding from CRNS to cover the cost of purchasing the banks and getting the signage put on them. All three organisations are grateful to staff at CRNS (formerly David Bryan and latterly David Niven), GJF Fabrications, David Macleod, Senior Recycling Officer and all staff at the Waste Aware Team at Western Isles Council. The banks will be emptied regularly and the items will be sold to a buyer. A number of buyers approached the local charities and it has been decided, at least for the first year, to sell the textiles to Blythswood.
Clothes/textiles can be in any condition, as long as they are clean and dry. It is hoped that this initiative will not have a negative effect on any of the local charity shops who sell second hand clothes - Cothrom, Bethesda and Hebrides Alpha would encourage people to continue to support charity shops.
Items that can be placed in the banks include clothes, sheets, blankets, paired shoes/boots, curtains, belts, handbags. They are not able to take soiled rags, carpets, rugs or duvets. All items should be placed in bags.
The banks are being situated at 20 locations throughout the Western Isles – 5 in Uist (Daliburgh Thrift Shop; Cothrom, Ormiclate; Benbecula House Hotel; Clachan and opposite the Co-op in Sollas), 14 in Lewis (Lews Castle College, Western Isles Hospital, Engebrets Filling Station, Tesco, Coop, Tong Community Centre, Laxdale Hall, Aignish end of Braighe, Council car park on Sandwick Road, Creed Park Recycling Centre, Cameron Terrace Filling Station, Garynahine, Bernera Community Centre and Uig Community shop) and one at Urgha in Harris.
