Join the fight against illegal clothing bins and partner up with Recycled Clothing Banks

Clearing communities of illegal clothing bins…for free!

At Recycled Clothing Banks, we’re committed to creating cleaner, safer, and more environmentally responsible communities. That’s why we proudly partner with local councils and organisations across the region to tackle the growing issue of unauthorised clothing bins, and the best part? Our service is absolutely free.

Why illegal clothing bins are a problem

Unauthorised clothing bins are more than just an eyesore. They present a wide range of issues for:

• Local councils, who face complaints and clean-up costs
• The community, who suffer from cluttered and unsafe public spaces
• Legitimate recycling companies and charities, who lose vital donations
• The environment, as clothing is often improperly handled or left to decay

These bins often pop up without warning and they can be difficult to identify. Here’s how to spot an illegal bin in your area:

• It’s in poor or rusted condition
• There’s no clear charity or organisation name on display
• Contact details are missing or vague
• It’s overflowing, surrounded by dumped bags and unsafe to approach

We’re here to help – at no cost to you

At Recycled Clothing Banks, we offer a completely free service to councils and community groups to remove and responsibly deal with these illegal bins.

Here’s what we do:

• Quick and safe collection of any unsightly or illegal bin
• Thorough site clean-up, removing leftover debris and rubbish
• Environmentally responsible handling of bin materials and any abandoned items

We believe in reducing landfill use and making clothing recycling more effective, safe, and ethical. That’s why we ensure every item we collect is managed with care and consideration.

Giving illegal clothing bins a new purpose

Once an unauthorised bin is removed, we don’t just scrap it. Instead, we refurbish it to a high standard and give it a second life by donating it to schools, youth groups (Scouts & Guides), and even HMP prisons. These bins then serve a new purpose; encouraging responsible recycling and helping organisations raise funds for local projects.

This approach not only solves the problem, it creates opportunity.

Working within the law

We operate under Section 149 of the Highways Act 1980, typically through a court order depending on the bin’s location. Once removed, bins are securely stored for 7–28 days. During this period, the illegal operator is liable for:

• Daily storage charges
• A removal fee

If the bin is not reclaimed within the specified time, it becomes our property and is refurbished for community use.

Proven success with local authorities

We’re proud of the partnerships we’ve built with councils across the UK. Milton Keynes Crime Unit has seen great success working with us, and we continue to support councils in Manchester, Salford, Birmingham, Wigan, and beyond.