Dearne Valley College ‘Clothing Rail’ returns to tackle textile waste

The ‘Clothing Rail’ returned to Dearne Valley College, giving students and staff the opportunity to donate unwanted clothes and collect new items free of charge.

The initiative aims to reduce textile waste across campus, inviting staff and students to drop off clothing, shoes, scarves, and other accessories for reuse instead of disposal.

Research found 92 million tonnes of textile waste were dumped globally each year and only a small amount of clothing was recycled, with most garments ending up in landfill where they released chemicals and greenhouse gases.

The sustainability team at the college promoted the scheme as a practical way for staff and students to clear out items they no longer needed, while enabling others to refresh their wardrobes at no cost.

The service formed part of broader efforts to support the environment and cut down on waste by keeping textiles in use for longer.