Clothing banks operated by The Salvation Army have been removed from sites across Bedford Borough as part of national changes to its recycling network.
The move follows what the organisation describes as major challenges in the textiles recycling market, including sharply lower resale prices, rising transport and operating costs, and an increase in low-quality clothing linked to fast fashion.
The removals are taking place across the country and are not decisions made by Bedford Borough Council.
The council says it is now exploring options to reinstate clothing and textile banks at affected sites where possible.
However, it has acknowledged that the wider textile recycling industry is under significant pressure, with many operators scaling back or withdrawing services.
The council said rebates previously earned from collected clothing have fallen by around 98% in just a couple of years. In some cases, authorities now face costs to recycle textiles that were once revenue-generating.
Recycling options remain
Although Salvation Army banks have been removed, residents still have several options for recycling or reusing clothing and textiles.
Some clothing retailers, including Primark and Dunelm, operate in-store recycling schemes. Mini recycling centres across Bedford Borough continue to accept textiles, as does the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Barkers Lane in Bedford.
The council has reminded residents that clothing, shoes and other textiles must not be placed in orange-lidded household bins. Bins containing textiles will not be collected.
Cllr Nicola Gribble (Independent, Renhold and Ravensden ward), portfolio holder for the environment, said: “We know how important recycling is to our residents, and we’re working to find other options where we can.
“In the meantime, please keep donating or reusing your good quality clothes through other routes, such as local charity shops, some retail stores and online options like Freegle, Freecycle and Vinted.
“Please don’t leave bags at or beside removed banks, it creates a mess and may lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice.”
Possible kerbside collections
Following feedback from the council’s Resources and Waste Strategy consultation, the authority is also considering whether a textile collection service could be introduced.
According to the council, 46% of consultation respondents said they would use a free, monthly, bookable kerbside textile collection operated by a third-party contractor.
In the meantime, residents are being encouraged to repair or alter clothing where possible, donate good-quality items to charity shops, arrange doorstep collections directly with charities or recycling companies, use online resale platforms, or take textiles to approved recycling sites.
Items in good condition can be sold for reuse, while worn or damaged textiles can often be recycled into products such as cleaning cloths, industrial blankets and furniture padding.
