The temporary removal of all textile clothing banks comes in response to mounting concerns over fly-tipping, unsightly overflow, and the absence of a sustainable interim solution
The London Borough of Merton has announced the temporary removal of all textile clothing banks across the borough following the collapse of its textile recycling contractor, Greendaw Textile and Recycling Ltd. The move comes in response to mounting concerns over fly-tipping, unsightly overflow, and the absence of a sustainable interim solution.
Greendaw, which had previously operated Merton’s borough-wide textile recycling service, ceased operations earlier this year, leaving the council scrambling to find a short-term fix. Despite these efforts, continued service failures led to growing frustration among residents and elected members alike. Councillors have reported overflowing bins, piles of clothing dumped beside collection points, and the overall deterioration of the service’s environmental impact.
With no formal contractual agreement in place and limited enforcement capability over the temporary provider, Merton Council has now made the “difficult but necessary” decision to suspend the textile bank service entirely until a new, reliable contractor can be secured. The physical removal of all textile banks is scheduled to take place over the weekend of 25 April 2025, and will be carried out by the defunct contractor Greendaw.
In a statement, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Merton’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Cleaner Streets, acknowledged the inconvenience but defended the decision as a practical measure to protect the borough’s streets from further degradation.
“We know many of our residents are committed to recycling and doing the right thing with their unwanted clothes and textiles,” he said. “However, with the loss of a reliable collection service, these sites have unfortunately become hotspots for fly-tipping. As part of our commitment to maintaining a cleaner, greener, and safer borough, we’ve taken the difficult decision to temporarily remove the textile banks while we work to secure a new, long-term provider.”
Greendaw, which had previously operated Merton’s borough-wide textile recycling service, ceased operations earlier this year, leaving the council scrambling to find a short-term fix
Residents are being strongly urged not to leave donations at the former textile bank locations, with the council warning that any items abandoned at these sites will be treated as fly-tipping. Offenders may face enforcement action, including fines, as part of the borough’s strict zero-tolerance stance on illegal dumping.
While the suspension of the service may inconvenience many residents who regularly use the textile banks, Merton Council has offered several alternatives for responsible disposal or reuse of clothing and textiles. These include donating directly to local charity shops, many of which accept clean and reusable garments for resale to support their charitable missions. Residents can also book free doorstep collections with TRAID, a UK charity that recycles clothing and funds global development projects. Additionally, the Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre remains open for textile disposal. The council is actively working to secure a new textile recycling partner through its procurement process and promises to keep residents informed of any developments. In the meantime, officials have asked for patience and cooperation from the public as they navigate this temporary disruption.
Councillor Alambritis added, “We are grateful for the public’s understanding during this period. Our aim is to bring back an efficient, clean, and responsible textile recycling service as soon as possible. In the interim, there are still many options available for those who want to recycle or donate their clothes, and we urge everyone to make use of these to avoid unnecessary waste and mess on our streets.”
For ongoing updates and a full list of alternative textile recycling options, residents are encouraged to visit the council’s website at www.merton.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling/clothes-textiles-electricals.
As the council pushes ahead with efforts to restore a greener solution, it has reiterated its commitment to reducing waste and maintaining high standards for environmental cleanliness across Merton.
