More local authorities recognise value in waste textiles, says I & G Cohen

Published by Kathy Wilkinson for I & G Cohen in Local Government and also in Central Government, Communities, Environment

Discarded textiles are increasingly being viewed by local authorities and waste management companies as a resource that can generate useful extra revenue, rather than as a waste to be disposed of, claimed textile recycler I & G Cohen Ltd.

The Salford-based company exhibited at September’s three-day Recycling & Waste Management Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC, where it was also a co-sponsor of the eco-fashion Catwalk Show promoting sustainable clothing re-use.

Commenting on the higher levels of enquiries received from councils at RWM 2012, Director Phil Geller said: “It’s clear that many more councils are recognising the value in unwanted textiles that can generate additional income if they partner with a reliable full-service supplier.

“Our solutions include free-of-charge textile bank and kerbside collections, which do not negatively impact on existing sites and charities. Audit information is provided and money raised from every tonne collected can be ploughed back into the services for local communities,” he continued.

Phil highlighted one local authority which had received £90k in the first year of textile recycling with I & G Cohen, adding: “From the response we had at RWM, it appeared visitors are definitely interested in getting more out of their textiles.”

I & G Cohen has been at the forefront of textile recycling since 1959, providing a comprehensive range of nationwide textile collection and recycling services for the waste management sector, local authorities and charities, including kerbside collections and textile bank collections. The company also acts as an end market for used clothing and discarded household textiles, offering bespoke products to Eastern Europe as well as Africa and Asia.

Contact I & G Cohen on 0161 736 8899, email info@igcohen.com or visit the website at www.igcohen.com.