Ballyhoura Development are excited to support a new research pilot scheme ‘Donate, Don’t Waste’ for the collection of unwanted clothes and home textiles in conjunction with local partners, Charleville St. Vincent de Paul Society’s charity shop, Charleville Chamber and the Community Resources Network Ireland (CRNI).

Launched on Tuesday last, 'Donate, Don't Waste' will gauge the attitudes and behaviours around unwanted clothing and home textiles, share information on where, when and what to donate, and make donations easier through drop points and door-to-door collections.

Padraig Fitzgerald, Chairperson of Ballyhoura Development, encouraged local people to take the survey on unwanted clothing and home textiles at existing collection points, including local charity shops, at new collection points and door-to-door collections in some neighbourhoods. Ballyhoura Development and the Clean Technology Centre at Munster Technical University are helping with the door-to-door collections, which will directly benefit Vincent’s Shop in Charleville.

Group pictured at the launch of the Donate Don't Waste pilot scheme in Charleville Park Hotel last week were, Mary Fleming, CRNI, Sarah O'Connor, Clean Technology Centre MTU, Cork, Nicole Dennehy, Ballyhoura Development, Michelle Green, Cork County Counciil and Pauline McDonough Southern Region Waste.

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Speaking at the launch, Mary Casey of CRNI National Executive said they were thrilled to launch this initiative in Charleville. “CRNI’s vision is to create a world without waste, and what’s important about this project is not just the environmental aspect, but also the community aspect. In tackling climate change we are going to need people from all facets of society working together, so we are glad to work alongside you all here in Charleville to create a stronger, more resilient textiles collection system that will yield both positive social and environmental results for generations to come,” she said.

Christine Costello, CRNI’S Circular Textiles research lead, said their charity partner was the St. Vincent de Paul Society. “We are delighted that there are so many ways for Charleville community members, businesses, schools, and community groups to get involved and positively contribute to environmental, social and economic change,” she said.

Local businesses can host a collection box and share 'Donate, Don’t Waste information' with customers, and schools and community groups may also do likewise. To get involved and view announcements people are invited to visit www.donatecharleville.ie or follow #DonateDontWaste on social media, contact [email protected] or call 087-1735184.

Group pictured: SVP Charleville volunteers, Mary Murray, Margaret O'Callaghan, Margot Connelly and Mary Cooke. Ballyhoura Development CLG represented by Nichola Grufferty, Development Officer.