Ballina Shire Council encourages residents to keep clothing out of landfill!
Too many textiles across Ballina Shire end up in household bins, when they could be reused or repurposed. Ballina Shire Council is taking action by hosting a Clothing Drop-Off Day, giving residents a free and easy way to recycle unwanted items.
The inaugural Clothing Drop-Off Day will be held on Saturday 2 May 2026, from 10am to 2pm, at the Ballina Salvage Shed car park. Ballina Shire Council has partnered with e‑THREAD, an Australian textile recycling company, to collect gently used women's, men's and children's clothing, accessories and household textiles.
Council's Resource Recovery Education Officer and project lead, Justine Rowe, said the event builds on strong community enthusiasm for sustainable fashion initiatives.
"The Ballina community has been highly engaged in our ReWear project, which kicked off in mid‑2025 with the aim of supporting a local, circular clothing community," Ms Rowe said.
"We held six workshops in 2025, sharing skills in textile mending, repair and upcycling. While we always encourage mindful consumption and extending the life of the clothes you already own, this drop‑off event is an easy, free way to clear out your wardrobe, avoid sending textiles to landfill, and create positive environmental and social outcomes."
When clothing is thrown in the bin, it wastes not just fabric, but the energy, water, labour and raw materials used to produce it. Producing a single pair of jeans can require more than 10,000 litres of water, making textile reuse a powerful way to reduce environmental impacts.
In addition to environmental benefits, the 2 May event will support Open Parachute, a school‑based mental health program. Proceeds from donated textiles will help deliver tools to young people to manage anxiety, build resilience and navigate social challenges.
"All you need to do is gather the clothing and textiles you no longer need, drive through the Salvage Shed car park, and the e‑THREAD team will take care of the rest," Ms Rowe said. "You don't even need to get out of your car — although you're welcome to pop into the Salvage Shed while you're there and enjoy a browse."
Event Details
Date: Saturday 2 May 2026
Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm
Location: Ballina Salvage Shed car park, 167 Southern Cross Drive, Ballina
What You Can Donate
Gently used items including:
- Clothing (men's, women's and children's)
- Accessories (shoes, hats, belts and bags)
- Household textiles (towels and bed linen)
For more information, visit www.ballina.nsw.gov.au/textiles
The NSW EPA provided Ballina Council with a $32,400 grant under the third round of the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund, as part of the NSW Government's Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy. The project is funded through the waste levy.
