PROPOSALS to collect textiles as part of an expansion to the kerbside recycling scheme have been objected to by Coleford town councillors.

Forest of Dean District Council recently evaluated the best way to improve its waste and recycling options including introducing kerbside textile collections.

But at Coleford Town council’s meeting last week the mayor, Councillor Paul Kay said: “I condemn this latest objective. A lot of charities only exist because of the money they make from donated clothing.

“And now the authority is attempting to take this revenue away by interfering with their income obtained from the secondhand clothing market.”

Officers for the District Council carried out an eight-week consultation process with residents between July and September in a bid to help shape the future of recycling in the area.

The survey concluded that home owners wanted to recycle more materials from the kerbside.

But Cllr Clive Elsmore pointed out: “This was a recommendation to recycle textiles, not clothing. It’s the cloth that can be sold on to the rag trade.”

Councillor Marrilyn Smart, the district council’s cabinet member for the environment said: “We will still be encouraging residents to use their local charity shops as this is by far the best way to dispose of unwanted, good-quality clothing.”

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