Port Stephens Council is gearing up for its inaugural “Give a Sheet® for the planet” textile recycling day this weekend.
The organisation has teamed up with Australian clean technology company BlockTexx to divert unwanted household linens from landfill at a free dedicated drop-off between 9am and 3pm at the Salamander Bay Waste Transfer Station on Saturday 19 October.
Council’s community services section manager Tammy Gutsche said the event, a first for the LGA, would offer residents an environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted textiles.
“Over the years, a significant amount of the items brought to council problem waste drop-off days have been repurposed and given new life,” she explained.
“The rubber from tyres is transformed into crumb rubber products and alternative fuel sources, while the foam from mattresses is repurposed into carpet underlay and acoustic panelling.
“The upcoming Give a Sheet® drop-off day is a chance for locals to spring clean their linen closets.”
A representative from BlockTexx, Tonia Bastyan, explained the event addressed the growing waste problem, which sees more than 315,000 tonnes of textiles and clothing discarded in Australian landfills annually.
“In collaboration with councils, we launched Give a Sheet® for the Planet as a solution to end-of-life household linen,” she said.
“With 17 events under our belt, we’re thrilled to visit new communities like Port Stephens this year.
“We’ve already collected in excess of 32,000 kilograms of linen – the equivalent of 53,000 bed sheets – sending them to our social enterprise partners to be sorted and decommissioned, removing any trims that can’t go through our process.
“These ventures support people with disabilities across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, helping not only the environment, but assisting Aussies in our local communities, too.
“So, it’s a win-win for everyone.”
Learn more about what items are accepted for recycling at pscouncil.info/give-a-sheet
For more community stories:
- Anti-Poverty Week highlights alarming Hunter statistic
- Young photographers assist with net zero
- Funding to revive Lower Hunter Dry Rainforest
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