Recycling your bras

• May. 27 by Manish Patel (0)

As part of next month’s Birmingham City Council Climate Change Festival, visitors planning on attending the three day event have been encouraged to recycle their bras.

The festival will take place between June 5-7 and the underwear that is collected will be sold by local recycling company BCR Global Textiles to women who may not be able to afford these garments in developing/Third World countries. BCR will also contribute the proceeds of the sales to causes in Britain like the Breast Cancer Campaign charity.

Special ‘Bra Banks’ similar to those which are used to recycle empty bottles will be placed across the city to allow women to discard their unwanted underwear.

The famous ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’ statue in Victoria Square will be wearing her own bra and there will also be photo and filming opportunities near the statue.

Cllr Paul Tilsley of Birmingham City Council feels the event will go a long way towards the city’s target of making Birmingham green.

“The Birmingham Climate Change Festival is a fun, entertaining and informative way for people to learn about what is being done to make Birmingham green for those that live, work and visit the city.

“Everyone has a role to play when it comes to cutting carbon emissions and making Birmingham green. I hope the wide variety of activities that we have organised will lead to a good turnout inspire people to do their bit.

“The bra bank is a wonderful no-frills idea which has so many benefits – we avoid sending unwanted items to landfill and help people in developing countries. Combined this perfectly captures the spirit of sustainability.”

A green solar-powered circus, eco-technology demonstration stands as well as theatrical performances for schools will be some of the activities and attractions on offer during the three day event.

Organisations like Birmingham Friends of the Earth, Northfield Eco Centre, Veolia and RSPB will also be at the festival with information and activities.

The BRMB Walkathon will be taking place to help promote walking as a sustainable method of travel for citizens. It will be staged on June 6. To find out more click here.

Visit my blog to watch Sharon Lea the city council’s Strategic Director of Environment and Culture encourage women to recycle their bras.