Concerns over removal of clothes banks in West Cork

Concerns have been raised over the removal of clothes banks from a number of county council sites in West Cork, with fears the move could lead to increased dumping and more reusable clothing ending up in landfill.

The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of Cork County Council’s western division, where independent councillor Finbarr Harrington called on the local authority to provide an update on the situation, and to engage with operators and community groups to restore the service as soon as possible.

Mr Harrington said he had received several calls from concerned members of the public after the clothes bank in Castletownbere was removed, and there were indications it would not be replaced.

He warned the withdrawal of clothes banks could result in more illegal dumping incidents, placing an additional burden on the council to clean up affected areas.

He also said local community organisations and sports clubs could lose out on important fundraising support linked to clothing recycling.

“There appears to have been a major change in the economics of clothes recycling and the market seems to have fallen out of it for many reasons,” 

he said.

Seconding the motion, Social Democrats councillor Ann Bambury said there were growing concerns some collected clothing was not being recycled and was instead ending up in landfill. She also pointed to the impact of fast fashion on attitudes towards recycling clothes.

Ms Bambury said the sector had become “too commercial”, and no longer delivered sufficient benefits to local groups. She suggested that council-operated recycling centres could provide a more transparent and reliable alternative for the public.

Responding on behalf of Cork County Council, director of environment services Gerard Barry confirmed some operators had withdrawn from civic amenity sites in West Cork due to “commercial non-viability”.

However, he stressed the public could still bring clothing to civic amenity sites, which continue to accept textiles for recycling.

Mr Barry said the council’s environment directorate was exploring alternative providers with a view to reinstating clothes banks at affected sites as quickly as possible.

This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.