Lintel Trust is piloting a new initiative Reduce, Reuse and Raise Funds with six housing associations in Glasgow.

This project seeks to encourage housing communities to reap the benefits of reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. The benefit in this case, is not only helping the environment, but also raising funds for their local area.

All funds raised will be ring-fenced for their locality and accessed through Lintel Trust in the form of small grants and awarded on a participatory budgeting basis. Providing a project or group is helping make the community a better place, they can apply for the available funding. Local residents can vote for their favourite project and the winning project will be awarded the funds.

Lintel Trust wants to encourage communities to upcycle, re-use and fix things where ever possible. The use of swap shops, crafting, fixing and mending has already been embraced by some housing associations with really positive outcomes.

Those interested in taking part in the pilot project will receive a complimentary workshop delivered by either R:Evolve or Govanhill Baths Rags to Riches, award winning social enterprises specialising in providing skills, materials, expertise in upcycling and knowledge about how to engage with communities and encourage skills sharing.

Textiles are the UK’s fastest growing household waste stream. By reusing and recycling textiles we can greatly reduce the amount we send to landfill and give unwanted items a new lease of life. Taking part in sustainable initiatives can help reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint whilst supporting local community projects through raising funds.

Lintel Trust have partnered with Clyde Recycling for this initiative. Clyde Recycling have over 30 years of industry leading experience in the recycling and distribution of donated clothes and work with some of the UK's leading charities. For every tonne of textiles, Clyde Recycling will donate £220 to Lintel Trust.

How to get involved

Housing associations that would like to get involved in the project should contact Lintel Trust using the 'contact us' option or register interest using the button at the bottom of the page. 

Once approved, participating housing associations will receive a call to discuss their requirments and a suitable location for a Lintel Trust branded recycling bank(to be placed in an accessible community area).

Lintel Trust will also arrange for the complimentary workshop and provide promotional material to let your residents know about the facility and how it will raise money for the community.

Clyde Recycling is responsible for the upkeep, maintainence and emptying of the textile banks. A direct contact number will be provided if the bank needs to be emptied or if someone has put something into by accident (apparently keys are a common accidental donation!). They aim to deal with any issues within 24 hours and, should you want the recycling bank removed, they will do so as soon as possible.

What Happens to the Donations?

Clothing is taken to Clyde Recycling’s modern sorting facility where it is sorted, labelled, and exported.

Good quality clothing is distributed to well established partners in Europe, Africa, and South America for resale. Clothing and textiles that are not fit for resale are washed and repurposed as cleaning clothes and mop heads.

The textiles are measured per tonne and Lintel Trust will receive £220/tonne for clothes donated via the recycling banks.