Fast fashion blamed for closure of clothing banks

Fast fashion is being given as the reason for 27 Salvation Army clothing and textile banks are due to be removed in Devon at the end of January.

In a statement, the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) said it was adjusting its clothing bank network as part of a "stategic review".

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, vice chair of the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee, said: "The rise in cheap, low quality clothing is causing a huge problem for the second hand textile industry and the environment."

SATCol said: "This change will enable us to use our resources more effectively to manage the unsustainable volumes of used textiles across the UK."

It said it was estimated more than two tonnes of clothing, which equalled nearly 50 tonnes of carbon emissions, were bought in the UK each minute.

SATCol said while a number of its clothing banks would be removed it would continue to expand its network of more than 250 charity stores.

It said the change allowed them to maximise fundraising capabilities, minimise costs, and redirect resources to other impactful reuse and recycling services.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and encourage customers and donors to locate their nearest donation point," it added.

Devon County Council said SATCoL had worked in partnership with the Devon authorities since 2016 to provide a textile recycling service across the county.

Hodgson said the closure was "a shame" but she understood why the decision had been made.

"A lot of the materials that they receiving, and the volume of it has made it really challenging for them," she said.

She encouraged people to be creative with clothing by giving it to a charity shop or doing clothes swaps with friends to combat fast fashion.

She said: "If we're trying to do something about the climate emergency, then this is one thing we can do. As we know, it's good to recycle, but reuse is the better way of doing it.

"The future of second-hand textiles is looking challenging, but we, as consumers, have the power to make a difference by making more environmentally sustainable choices every time we buy new clothing."

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