Recycling bras for breast cancer research
Women in Inverclyde can now recycle their unloved or unwanted bras to raise vital funds to help stop deaths from breast cancer.
New eye-catching pink bra banks are installed at Pottery Street Recycling Centre, Greenock and Kirn Drive Recycling Centre in Gourock. There are a total of 32 Breast Cancer Now bra banks situated at recycling centres across Scotland. For every tonne of bras donated £200 will go towards Breast Cancer Now’s world-class research.
Through the partnership with local councils and recycling specialists Nathan’s Wastesavers, bras will either be upcycled into new materials – including carpets, purses and textiles – or start a new life on the other side of the world in developing countries.
Mary Allison, Director for Scotland at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“We’re very excited to launch our brightly coloured bra recycling banks across Scotland. It means that women can bin their bras for breast cancer research that helps save lives.
“The banks will not only support our life-saving breast cancer research, but also help the environment by reducing the amount of material being sent to landfill.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Scotland and around 1,000 people still die from the disease each year.
“At Breast Cancer Now we believe that by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live – but only if we all act now.”
Peter Page, National Recycling Manager with Nathans’ Wastesavers said:
“We’re delighted to be joining forces with Breast Cancer Now and local councils across Scotland to not only reduce waste, but save lives from breast cancer.
“So much clothing, shoes, household textiles and books are thrown away each year. We handle, sort and process over 600 tonnes of textiles each week. We give these textiles a new lease of life whether it’s helping people in developing countries or supporting great charities across the UK.
“With initiatives like the Breast Cancer Now bra banks people can recycle and help save lives.”
Convenor of Environment and Regeneration, Councillor Michael McCormick, said:
“We fully support this exciting new partnership which will allow women across Inverclyde to recycle their bras in a way that will not only benefit the environment but provide funding for cutting-edge breast cancer research.
“We would like to encourage local women to take advantage of the new Breast Cancer Now bra banks and give their unwanted underwear a new life while helping to stop deaths from breast cancer.”