Novocastrians encouraged to give a sheet this Saturday

Supplied by City of Newcastle

A free recycling drop-off event is giving Newcastle residents the chance to clean out their linen presses while doing their bit for the environment.

Old towels, sheets and other household fabrics can be dropped off at Newcastle TAFE carpark in Tighes Hill this Saturday 30 May from 9am as part of Newcastle’s second Give a Sheet for the Planet textile recycling event.

Through a partnership with Australian clean‑technology company Blocktexx, donated items like bed linen and bath towels will be broken down into their cotton and polyester components and transformed into new products including hydromulch, textiles, and building and construction materials.

Managing Director Waste Services, David Witherdin, said City of Newcastle’s Sustainable Waste Strategy is helping to develop a circular economy.

“Newcastle is growing, which means the amount of waste we generate is growing, and City of Newcastle is always exploring how we can get more value out of unwanted items,” Mr Witherdin said.

“When we last held a Give a Sheet event in November 2024, almost 400 people dropped off a combined four and a half tonnes of textile recycling, which prevented the equivalent of 134,000 kilograms of CO2 emissions from entering our atmosphere.

“We’re committed as part of our Sustainable Waste Strategy to reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and changing the way we return, reuse, repair and recycle resources.

“Events like Give a Sheet for the Planet give residents access to practical and sustainable solutions for recycling items that would otherwise end up being thrown out.”

Newcastle residents can drop off clean, household linen that is made from 100% cotton and/or polyester only, commonly found across items like face washers, hand and beach towels, bedsheets and doona covers, tea towels and tablecloths.

View the full list of accepted items and find out more information about the event by visiting City of Newcastle’s website.