We are now offering a free bookable kerbside collection of clothing and household textiles for recycling, provided items are in good condition. Each household can book one collection each month.
Remember, never put textiles in your pink recycling bin or sacks, as we may be unable to collect them.
Booking a collection
Textiles can be recycled by placing them in the clear textile recycling sacks provided and arrange for it to be collected using our online form. You can put out up to 10 textile sacks per booking.
You will be asked to:
- confirm your name and address
- choose a collection date
- confirm whether you have textiles, electricals, or both to be collected
On your booked collection day:
Put your textile sack(s) on the front edge of your property by 7:00am. It should not be placed on the public footpath, grass verge or road, doing this may result in enforcement action.
You can also take your textiles to be recycled to either of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
These are located in:
- Stock Road, Southend-on-Sea
- Leigh Marsh, Leigh-on-Sea
You can also donate them to a local charity shop if you do not want to use our textile booking service.
Textiles made from both natural and man-made fibers can be recycled. All textiles must be clean and dry otherwise we may not be able to collect them for recycling.
What can be recycled?
Textiles made from both natural and man-made fibers can be recycled. All textiles must be clean and dry otherwise we may not be able to collect them for recycling.
- clothes
- curtains
- pillow cases and sheets
- towels
- handbags
- hats
- cloths
- belts
- paired shoes
What cannot be recycled?
These items cannot be accepted by us (or textile recycling facilities) due to their make-up, therefore please do not put these items in your textile sack as we will be unable to collect them:
- pillows and duvets
- rugs, mats and carpets
- cushions
If you have these items some animal shelters and charities may be grateful for your donations. If you are unable to find any use for them then they will need to be put in your black refuse bin (or sack).
What to do if your textiles sack is not collected
If your textile sack was not collected on your booked day, please check that you have not put items that cannot be recycled, they will need to be removed before making another booking.
If you believe your collection was missed please report a missed collection.
Before reporting a missed collection, please:
- make sure your sack(s) were out for collection by 7am on your collection day
- make sure you put the right items in the right sack
- make sure you are reporting this to us within two working days of your booked collection day
- check to see if your sack has been tagged or stickered with a reason for non-collection
If a resident sees any textile sacks being collected by anyone other than SUEZ, then residents' should report this directly to the Police on 101. If possible, please note down and provide the:
- vehicle registration number
- time
- date
- any other details you might think helpful
What happens to textiles once they have been collected?
The textile sacks are collected by SUEZ. The textiles are then transported to a national textiles recycling facility. Here they are sorted, graded by type and then distributed to their various outlets for reuse. Items which are unsuitable for reuse are turned into flocking for a range of things, such as:
- stuffing
- insulation
- animal bedding