NEW textile banks are being installed at recycling sites across Colchester in a bid to cut down on the number of clothes going to landfill.

Eleven new banks are being added at existing sites thanks to a partnership between Colchester Council and Essex Textiles.

Items donated which are of a suitable quality will be reused whilst everything else will be recycled.

The new textile recycling banks will be located at:

• Britannia car park

• High Woods Country Park car park

• Leisure World Colchester car park

• Napier Road car park

• Butt Road car park

• King George V playing fields car park

• Port Lane car park (next to the Recreation Ground off Old Heath Road)

• Colchester Borough Homes Housing Office, Greenstead

• The Oak Tree Centre, Harwich Road

• St Mary’s Car Park, Manor Road entrance

• Seaview Car Park, Mersea Island

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Simon Crow, councillor responsible for environment and sustainability, said: “We are committed to supporting residents to reduce the amount of waste going into their black bags or bins, anything that helps us to do that has to be a good thing.

“By working in partnership with Essex Textiles, Colchester has a fortnightly textile recycling kerbside collection and now the addition of these recycling banks for those who need them.

"These services are in place for residents who wish to use them, but we also encourage you to donate your unwanted clothes to your chosen charity if you are able.

“By donating to charity or using one of our textile recycling services, you not only help the environment but it also means that old clothes get a new lease of life, either by being resold or by being recycled and made into new products.”

Find out more information at colchester.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling-spa.