Port Stephens Council Introduces Textile Recycling Day with BlockTexx Partnership

Residents of Port Stephens are invited to clear out their linen cupboards for a sustainable cause, as the Council launches its first-ever textile recycling day in collaboration with Australian clean technology company, BlockTexx. The event will take place on Saturday, 19 October, at the Salamander Bay Waste Transfer Station from 9 am to 3 pm.

Community Services Section Manager, Tammy Gutsche, expressed enthusiasm about providing locals with an eco-friendly method to dispose of unwanted household linens.

“This initiative offers our community a practical way to recycle textiles, keeping them out of landfill,” Ms Gutsche said. “In previous waste drop-off days, we’ve successfully repurposed items like tyres into crumb rubber and mattress foam into carpet underlay and acoustic panelling.”

The textile recycling day aims to combat the growing issue of textile waste in Australia, where over 315,000 tonnes of textiles and clothing end up in landfills each year.

BlockTexx representative, Tonia Bastyan, highlighted the impact of the ‘Give a Sheet for the Planet’ campaign.

“By partnering with councils nationwide, we’re addressing the end-of-life problem for household linens,” Ms Bastyan said. “To date, we’ve collected over 32,000 kilograms of linen—the equivalent of around 53,000 bed sheets.”

Collected linens will be sent to social enterprise partners for sorting and decommissioning, ensuring that non-recyclable components are removed. These enterprises provide support and employment for people with disabilities across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Ms Bastyan added. “We’re reducing environmental impact while supporting local communities.”

The textile recycling day is free for Port Stephens residents. For more information on accepted items, visit pscouncil.info/give-a-sheet.