User:Givemebliss/Bra recycling

Bra recycling is a relatively new concept, but as we approach recycling large amounts of our waste in the present state of environmental turmoil, why not bras? With up to 900,000 tonnes of textiles going to landfill in the UK every year, bras are part of that alarming figure and whilst we strive to reduce our waste in the UK, people in the world's poorest and socially deprived regions struggle to afford new clothes.

Bra reycling schemes are cropping up all over the UK and old and unwanted bras are collected in bra bins.

When a bra is recycled, it is sorted at a textile recycling plant and then categorised to be put to the most appropriate use. The two main uses are; The bra is sent to developing countries for women who need such products but can't afford new or don't have access to such products or if the bra is not fit for re wearing, it is broken up into recycleable product categories.

Bras can be in any condition, as long as they are clean.

Bliss Lingerie of Hyde, Cheshire, UK - and independant lingerie store runs an extremely successful bra recycling campaign that is growing in popularity throughout the region. The scheme has attracted interest from as far away as Canada and has been covered by local media.

The reason Bliss developed the campaign was to allow customers an environmentally friendly way of disposing of their old bras once they had brought a new one. Of course, it is purely a environmental issue and there is no profit created by recycling the bras.

However, bra recycling can be used as a fundraising exercise. Bliss Lingerie runs the bra recycling campaign with BCR Global Textiles who collect and recycle the old and unwanted bras. Bliss Lingerie recieves £1 for every kilo of bras - which is then donated by Bliss to Breast Cancer Charities in the UK.

Bra bins are supplied by BCR Global textiles to collect the bras in and women all over the region are encouraged to dispose of their old bras in a bra bin.

For futher details of the scheme visit www.givemebliss.co.uk/recycle.php BCR Global Textiles is

Notes;

7.8 million tonnes emission of CO2 are saved per annum by BCR through the collection, reuse and recycling of textiles and shoes.. (Oakdene Hollins Dec 2007)

Details of the textile recycling process can be found at http://www.bcrglobal.co.uk/process.html

BCR operates with a Waste Carriers Licence. All drivers are fully qualified and carry ID cards at all times.

http://www.textile-recycling.org.co.uk

http://www.textile-recycling.org.uk/recyclatex.htm