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TEXTILES
Textiles made from both natural and man-made fibres can be recycled.
However, it is much better if they can be reused. Many charities
have textile banks for unwanted clothing. These are either sold
in charity shops, given to the homeless, or sent abroad. This immediately
reduces the amount of textiles going to landfill sites. Often, man-made
fibres can present problems, as they do not rot i.e. they are non-biodegradable.
If clothes are of poor quality however, they can be recycled. Things
like trousers and skirts are sold and shredded for car insulation,
furniture padding and roofing felts. Cotton and silk is sorted according
to its quality, and is used to make cloths for different industries
e.g. mining industry. Woollen items are sold to specialist firms
for fibre reclamation. The material is shredded into fibres, and
then blended with some other fibres. It is then spun ready for weaving
or knitting.
Things to remember:
• Buy things that you know you will get lots of use out of
• Try to buy some things that have some recycled content.
• Use cloth wipers instead of disposable paper ones, so that
you can use them over again.
• Buy clothes from second hand shops! They are often a source
of cheap fashionable clothing.
• Put your old clothes in a textile recycling bank, or take
them to a charity shop.
CLICK HERE FOR SOME
RECYCLING FACTS ON TEXTILES
next: What Can I Do?
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