Believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, the scheme provides the groups with collection sacks to distribute to properties in the area where they meet.

A few days later they collect the bags, with Ashfield District Council providing a collection van and driver.

The Council then sells the collected materials to a local recycling company, “Sisters” textiles of Jacksdale, who pay a minimum of 20p per kilo (£200 per tonne) for the materials collected.

All of the money raised by the collections will be given to the community group who collected the materials, who must use it to fund youth activities in their area.

The Acacia Crew of Annesley currently holds the record for the most amount of textiles collected in one night – 1.15 tonnes!

The Council is always on the look out for more community groups to take part. Groups who do participate will earn 28p per kilo, with 100% of the money raised going to the community groups.

Any group interested in joining the Community Textile Recycling Scheme should contact the Council’s Recycling Officer, Mark Beagley on 01623 457922.