Photograph supplied by Herts & Essex Star
LOTTERY cash will be used to boost recycling efforts in
Harlow and Epping.
The Harlow based Environmental Conservation Co-operative Ltd, which applied for a grant to the Big Lottery Fund’s community recycling and economic development programme, has been given £298,000.
The money has allowed ECCO to realise a long-held ambition to launch its scheme for textiles and building awareness in the community, known as Text-BAC for short.
ECCO is a non-profit organisation which also works directly with disadvantaged and disabled people.
It is now hoping to build on the success of its kerbside recycling collections in Harlow and Epping Forest.
It is hoping the expanded service will encourage more people to remember to recycle unwanted clothes and other textiles in both districts.
Once collected and processed, the items are recycled or sent abroad.
The Lottery windfall will be used to help pay for staff, refurbishment and equipment and publicity materials.
ECCO is working on the scheme in conjunction with Harlow and Epping Forest councils, Rainbow Services, LMB Textiles and the St. Elizabeth’s care home at Much Hadham.
The Text-BAC scheme was officially launched at the Harlow Council depot, in Bush Fair, on Friday.
Project manager Sean Folan said the funding “will enable us to extend and develop our kerbside recycling activities”.
He added: “The project brings together charities, local authorities and businesses to provide employment and therapeutic work to disadvantaged and less able people.”
Big Lottery Fund eastern regional manager Sara Betsworth added: ”Items such as outdated or worn-out clothing can be reused for the benefit of others and to reduce land-fill."
“Textiles are a significant source of household waste and we are pleased to be supporting Tex-BAC, who are addressing this issue head on.”
To contact the Text-BAC team, call (01279) 444244.