Weekly collections for clothing this autumn

Plans for new weekly kerbside collections of clothing, shoes and soft toys in Daventry District and Northampton will be introduced this autumn.

Northampton Borough Council and Daventry District Council’s new environmental services contractor Enterprise had initially hoped to launch the weekly textile collections this month alongside other changes to the waste and recycling service.

However, with residents making great efforts to recycle, there has been a large rise in the volume of other materials that have been collected. This has meant that the current collection vehicles do not have enough space to accommodate additional clothing.

Weekly textile collections will now begin this autumn when the contractor introduces new vehicles with larger recycling compartments.

In the meantime an appointment system has been put in place for residents wishing to request a textile collection and it will be collected from their homes within four working days.

Enterprise will continue to donate money from these collections in Daventry District to the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
Enterprise Partnership Director Simone Wade said: "The kerbside vehicles being used at this very early stage of the new service unfortunately do not have the room to accommodate textiles collections. This is due to a large rise in the volume of other recyclates we have been collecting, following residents’ efforts to recycle more.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this has caused residents who were expecting new weekly textile collections as set out in their leaflets, but we can assure them that these will be in place in the autumn when new vehicles with larger compartments are introduced. We are putting alternative arrangements in place and if customers phone their council to request a textile collection, they will then be collected within four working days.”
Daventry District Council’s Environment Portfolio Holder Councillor Daniel Cribbin said: "It’s encouraging news that we’re seeing an increase in recycling during these first few weeks of the new joint service.
"We hope this slight delay in an improved textiles service does not deter residents from continuing their excellent recycling efforts.”
Cllr David Mackintosh, Cabinet adviser at Northampton Borough Council, said: "One of the benefits of our new partnership is that it provides many more opportunities to recycle.  I hope people will continue to keep recycling everything they are able to.  While textile collections are currently available by appointment we will further improve the service when we introduce weekly textile collections to all households in the autumn."
To request a textile collection, please contact:
Northampton Borough Council – phone 0300 330 7000, email recycling@northampton.gov.uk or visit www.northampton.gov.uk/recycling