Whilst the textiles industry creates millions of jobs, it is heavily criticised for its unsustainable use of water, land, fossil fuels, energy, toxic chemicals, waste and pollution, and social injustice.
As our planet faces the reality of catastrophic climate change, there is a growing need for urgent action. However, the manufacturing of clothing and consumer purchasing is showing no signs of slowing down – in fact, the opposite is happening.
Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP for short) is stepping up to the challenge and taking action to transform the way that textiles and clothing are bought, used and re-used in the hope of reducing harmful green-house gases, water use, pollution and helping to end unethical labour practices. As individuals, we also have a responsibility to educate our children and lead by example.
We need to be more conscious about the clothing materials we buy, how we look after them at home in our aftercare methods, and what we do with them when we no longer need them or, especially for the kids, when they have rapidly outgrown them! We are running out of landfill space, and if we want future generations to enjoy the green spaces we have left, rather than offer them up as new landfill sites, we need to take action to keep our clothes and other textiles out of landfill.
Here are a few facts about the UK’s current landfill situation:
- The UK was warned that it could run out of landfill capacity by 2022.
- Devon is actively searching for new sites as all of its current facilities are reaching the end of their lives. Dorset is exploring depositing waste in disused Portland stone quarries which is opposed by 16,000 people living nearby. These local residents are a powerful voice against expanding or opening new landfill sites.
- Tighter central government landfill penalties of £150 tonne are deterring site owners from exceeding their allowances.
- Councils and waste handlers could turn to a “scorched earth” policy and burn everything that can’t currently be recycled, which is equally damaging to the environment.
- 88% of UK households now consider recycling a normal part of everyday life.
- 9 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill in 2010, this figure had fallen to 6.1 million tonnes by 2020, but is it too little too late? We could be in a crisis position in a few years’ time.
How can you help? Get involved with Kids Fill The Bag
Here at Kids Just Recycle, we want to raise awareness about how we can better look after our planet and keep waste out of landfill and support schools in teaching our future generations about the importance of the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
All you have to do is collect a minimum of 40 bin bags full of pre-loved clothes, paired/tied shoes and household textiles like towels, curtains and bed linen, and your school could earn £500 per tonne! We will pay you 50p per kilo for your reusable donations. We will accept out-grown and unwanted garments, unclaimed lost property items, or clothing cleared out from your wardrobes and cupboards at home. But remember, they have to be in a condition that is reusable!
If your school would like to start a ‘Kids Fill The Bag’ challenge and begin to raise funds through vital textiles recycling, contact one of our team today. We even have downloadable resources for you to promote your fundraising mission on our website.
Written by www.wendyjenningscreative.co.uk