The BLUEPRINT textiles project in Brighton & Hove reached out to people living in high rise social housing blocks in the Whitehawk area of the city.
Council teams will install textiles containers in the locality to make it easier for residents to recycle textiles.
Residents had support from the city’s circular economy champions and had the opportunity to go to community events to learn more.
East Brighton communities had a unique opportunity to take part in activities to make clothes and household furnishings last longer. They learned about:
- The recycling process and end destination of textiles
- How to reduce textiles waste
- How to do repairs and find places and people that can help
- Re-purposing their own items. Where to find materials such as off-cuts to create their own styles
- Sourcing re-use items to wear or decorate their home
They were also able to contribute their own ideas on repairing and re-using textiles.
The council’s housing teams worked in partnership with Soex, Brighton & Hove’s textiles recycling contractor.
Recent research showed that people from this area throw away the most textile waste in the city. This project was a great opportunity to engage with people and show how they can make their textiles last longer, recycle more and save money.