Give a Sheet for the Planet
City of Newcastle residents are invited to drop off their worn-out bedroom, bathroom and kitchen linen at our first ever textile recycling event this November!
We've partnered with Blocktexx, an Australian recycler that has pioneered innovative technology to separate cotton and polyester from textiles such as bed sheets and bath towels. The recovered fibres can then be remanufactured into products such as hydromulch, new textiles, and building and construction materials.
The entire process is undertaken within Australia, creating jobs and social benefits for Australians.
Residents can use the FREE service to keep their linen waste out of landfill, helping to build a circular textile economy.
Date: Saturday 16 November 2024
Time: 9am to 3.30pm
Location: Newcastle TAFE Student Car Park, 266 Maitland Road (opposite Henry Street), Tighes Hill
You can drop off clean, household linen that is 100% cotton and/or polyester, including:
- BATHROOM linen: face washers, hand towels, bath towels/sheets, bath mats without a backing, beach towels
- BED linen: bed sheets (flat and fitted), quilt and doona covers, pillowcases, bedspreads, blankets
- KITCHEN linen: tea towels, fabric napkins, tablecloths.
- 100% cotton
- 100% polyester
- 100% cotton/polyester blends
- Cotton and/or polyester blends containing bamboo, flax, viscose, rayon, Tencel or modal, providing there are no other fibre types included in the blend.
All household linens must be 100% cotton/polyester to be accepted, as outlined in the FAQ above.
Types of items not accepted include:
As a general guide, this means no stretchy, waterproof or silky fabrics, and no items with "fluffy fillings".
Types of items not accepted include:
- Clothing and footwear
- Pillows, doonas/quilts and mattresses
- Mattress protectors and other waterproof fabrics
- Wool blankets and silk pillowcases
- Bathmats with a backing
- Sand-proof beach towels
- Microfibre or any kind of dish or cleaning wipes/cloths (such as 'Chux' cloths).
As a general guide, this means no stretchy, waterproof or silky fabrics, and no items with "fluffy fillings".
All linen dropped off must be clean. Linen that is torn, damaged or marked (such as a paint drop sheet) will be accepted, providing it has been washed after use.
All linen will be sorted by our team as you drop it off. It is then taken away to be 'decommissioned' by hand, which involves manually removing any non-recyclable components such as buttons, zips and tags. This work is undertaken by staff employed in Australian social enterprises, including people with disability and those experiencing homelessness or disadvantage.
Please be mindful of the people undertaking this work when donating your pre-loved linen. Any unclean linen will be returned to you on the day.
All linen will be sorted by our team as you drop it off. It is then taken away to be 'decommissioned' by hand, which involves manually removing any non-recyclable components such as buttons, zips and tags. This work is undertaken by staff employed in Australian social enterprises, including people with disability and those experiencing homelessness or disadvantage.
Please be mindful of the people undertaking this work when donating your pre-loved linen. Any unclean linen will be returned to you on the day.
All collected linen is sorted, decommissioned, shredded and recycled in Australia.
The entire process is managed by Blocktexx, an Australian company that developed chemical separation technology to convert the polyester and cellulose from the collected linen into high-grade raw materials. The recovered resources can then be reused in other industries such as building, agriculture and manufacturing.
Blocktexx work directly with social impact partners, HELP Enterprises, Bedford SA, The Big Issue Women's Workforce and Queensland Corrective Services, to have the collected linen sorted and decommissioned (that is, removal of non-recyclable items such as buttons, zips and tags). These partnerships support skills development, long term employment and life choices for people with disability and women experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.
The entire process is managed by Blocktexx, an Australian company that developed chemical separation technology to convert the polyester and cellulose from the collected linen into high-grade raw materials. The recovered resources can then be reused in other industries such as building, agriculture and manufacturing.
Blocktexx work directly with social impact partners, HELP Enterprises, Bedford SA, The Big Issue Women's Workforce and Queensland Corrective Services, to have the collected linen sorted and decommissioned (that is, removal of non-recyclable items such as buttons, zips and tags). These partnerships support skills development, long term employment and life choices for people with disability and women experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.
Yes. Unlike Household Chemical CleanOut events, the Give a Sheet drop-off is only available to City of Newcastle households. You may be asked to show proof of residency, such as a current driver licence.
The purpose of the textile recycling event is to divert household linen that is not suitable for donation or reuse from landfill.
Residents are encouraged to donate household linens in good, clean condition to local charities or op shops. A good rule of thumb when considering donating an item is to ask yourself if you would pass it on to a relative or friend. If it's good enough quality to give to a friend, it's typically good enough to donate.
Local animal shelters and pet rescue groups are often appreciative of towels, sheets and blankets to use as pet bedding. It is always best to contact these groups prior, as if they have received high levels of recent donations they may not have storage capacity to accept more items.
If you represent a local organisation, we may be able to put some items aside providing you can collect them during the event. Please enquire by emailing waste@ncc.nsw.gov.au or calling 4974 2000.
Residents are encouraged to donate household linens in good, clean condition to local charities or op shops. A good rule of thumb when considering donating an item is to ask yourself if you would pass it on to a relative or friend. If it's good enough quality to give to a friend, it's typically good enough to donate.
Local animal shelters and pet rescue groups are often appreciative of towels, sheets and blankets to use as pet bedding. It is always best to contact these groups prior, as if they have received high levels of recent donations they may not have storage capacity to accept more items.
If you represent a local organisation, we may be able to put some items aside providing you can collect them during the event. Please enquire by emailing waste@ncc.nsw.gov.au or calling 4974 2000.
We will announce details of future recycling events on our website and social media. You can follow us on Facebook, or periodically visit our waste news and events page for updates.
