Knowsley Council has extended a free doorstep clothes and shoes collection service across the borough in partnership with Roberts Group International, aiming to make textile recycling more accessible for residents unable to visit local banks.
Service expands after Halewood trial
The full launch follows a trial in Halewood, where residents were given the option to have unwanted garments collected from their homes. The council says the scheme will provide a simpler route to recycling textiles and reduce waste locally by keeping clothing in use for longer.
The service is available to households across Knowsley and collections are carried out weekly. Residents must book their collection in advance via the provider's booking page to ensure a pickup.
How it works and practical details
- Collection day: Every Thursday
- Booking deadline: By 12:00pm (midday) the day before collection to guarantee pickup
- Service provider: Roberts Group International, operating under the council contract
- What to recycle: Unwanted clothes and shoes (residents should check the booking page for full guidance)
The council has encouraged residents to use the online booking tool to check postcode eligibility and find out which items are accepted.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to expand this offering throughout Knowsley. It’s a really valuable service which makes recycling much easier for our residents who are unable to get out and about to local textile banks,” said Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods.
The council highlighted accessibility as a key benefit, noting that the scheme helps people who cannot travel to textile banks. The provider, meanwhile, framed the service as part of a push to reduce waste and keep garments in use.
Paul Roberts, Director of Roberts Group International, said: “By making textile recycling more accessible, we can help keep more clothing in use for longer and prevent valuable resources from going to waste.”
Local context and likely impact
Making textile recycling available at the kerbside responds to practical barriers faced by some residents, including mobility issues and limited access to public transport. If uptake is strong, the scheme could reduce the volume of textiles sent to general waste and increase the quantity diverted for reuse or recycling.
However, the long-term environmental benefit will depend on consistent use by households and clear public communication about acceptable items. The council and contractor will need to monitor collections to ensure the service remains efficient and cost‑effective for borough taxpayers.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who runs the service | Knowsley Council in partnership with Roberts Group International |
| Collection frequency | Weekly (Thursdays) |
| Booking | Online; book by 12pm the day before |
Residents wishing to use the scheme should visit the council’s advertised booking page to confirm eligibility and the list of acceptable items before arranging a pickup.
