Textile collections

Textile collections

We can collect your used textiles such as clothes, shoes and handbags. Here's how:

• Put your textiles in a plastic carrier bag or stretchy bag for life, no bigger than 50cm x 50cm
• Tie the top tightly to stop any water getting in
• Please do not use black bin bags or charity bags (we legally cannot take charity bags)
• Please leave textiles next to your red boxes and blue bag(s) on your scheduled recycling collection day.

Accepted items

• Clean clothing, shoes and handbags
• Coats, scarves and gloves
• Clean sheets and linen.

Items we can't collect

• No wet textiles
• No duvets or pillows - recycle these at most Dunelm stores.
• No rags or damaged items
• No fabric scraps and offcuts - consider donating these to a local school or community group for crafts. Rags can also be taken to the YMCA charity shop in Coalville. Please bag them up and write 'rags' on it.

Top tips

Unfortunately, wet textiles are not of a high enough quality to be reused or recycled. Please make sure your carrier bag is tightly tied to stop any water getting in. This will help to make sure your old clothes, shoes and accessories are sent to those who need them.

Please don't use bags bigger than 50cm x 50cm. If you have lots of bags to put out, you can help us by spreading them out over a few collections as the space on the recycling lorry can fill up quickly.

Where does it go? 

Once we have collected your textiles we take them to our recycling depot in Coalville. They are then collected by Ward Recycling for reuse - the most environmentally friendly route for unwanted textiles.

With 70% of the world’s population relying on pre-loved clothing, it's really important that unwanted clothes don't end up in landfill or incinerated, so they can instead help people facing clothing poverty in the UK and globally.

If an item isn’t right for you anymore but you feel it still has some life left, please make sure you put it out for us to collect.

Bra reuse and recycling charity scheme

Unwanted bras can be donated to the Against Breast Cancer reuse and recycling scheme. Bras in both good and poor condition can be taken to a donation bin at Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre.

The bras will be sent for reuse in countries where bras are expensive to produce locally, or recycled so the materials can be repurposed. Against Breast Cancer receives a donation of around 70p for every kilo collected, providing vital funds for breast cancer research.

How to extend the life of your clothes

Tips for making your clothes last longer 

Buy quality pieces

Single fibre materials like 100% cotton, linen and wool will last far longer than manmade polyesters and nylons.

Use a delicates bag

An old pillowcase used to put delicate items in whilst washing will ensure they are protected during the wash cycle.

Carry a stain removal pen

Carrying a stain removal pen can help stop a stain from setting and target the stain directly.

Get it right in the washing machine

• Wash less by taking a moment to think, does the item need washing or are you popping it in the wash basket out of habit?
• Drop the temperate and wash where possible on a low setting. If the items just need a freshen up, choose a short cycle.
• Reduce the amount of detergent you use.
• Wash dark clothing inside out as this will prevent fading.

Don't dry clean often

The chemicals in the dry-cleaning process break down the fibres in the material.

Can you find a new use for your unwanted textiles?

Whilst many new fabrics can’t be recycled, many can be reused. Chopping up old t-shirts into squares for cleaning cloths or seeing if your local craft group or school require off cuts of fabrics for crafting will ensure that nothing goes to waste.

Donate pre-loved items in good condition to either a local charity or at a collection bank to give clothes a second chance.