New Forest residents have been advised not to leave old clothes out for unknown collection companies– but to recycle them instead.
The move was prompted after W&W Help Ltd distributed leaflets to homes in the district last month asking for donations of unwanted clothes, which it claimed was for the needy in the developing world.
An investigation by New Forest District Council discovered that the company is no longer trading – and urges local people to donate unwanted clothing direct to a charity shop or take items to one of the charity clothing banks at various locations around the forest.
NFDC portfolio holder for the environment, Cllr Edward Heron said: “As a council, we cannot guarantee that unknown collection companies are genuine and not selling the clothing for a profit.
So we urge residents to either donate their clothes directly to a charity shop or to take them to one of the many registered charity clothing banks we have in the New Forest. “
These clothing banks support
- Oxfam,
- The Salvation Army,
- Scope,
- The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance,
- Traid and European Shoe Recycling.
Recycling old shoes and old clothes is really worthwhile. Items that can be worn again are sold in charity shops and the rest gets recycled into 1001 different materials such as stuffing for mattresses, insulation, carpet underlay and new fabrics. Even underwear can be recycled!
To find the nearest textile or shoe recycling bank, residents should visit: www.newforest.gov.uk
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