IS everyone aware that the roadside recycling collection now takes textiles?

What you might not be aware of is exactly what that means. They don't want worn out or torn items, they just want good quality saleable clothes and bedding. I know this because my 'textile recycling' was left behind, and I phoned for an explanation.

To me, the phrase 'textile recycling' means that you take any textiles, and find some use for them, such as making felt, rag rugs or stuffing, etc, most of which is carried out in the Third World where many recycled textiles end up being put to a very good use, earning wages for poor people who otherwise would struggle. 

But not West Devon's textiles!  West Devon are much more choosy, and their recycled items end up in shops somewhere making a profit for someone.  That's not 'textile recycling', it's the 'second-hand clothes' business! 

My saleable clothes will still go directly to charity shops (not to some middle man shipping tons of clothes to eastern Europe like the door-to-door appeals); worn out and torn items will just continue to go into the dustbin (or composted where possible), because they are not good enough for West Devon!  Rather contradictory, don't you think?

Pam Stewart

Okehampton