Concerns about regular overspill at clothes banks raised at Athlone council meeting

The issue of overspill at clothes banks right across the Athlone Moate Municipal District is "more likely to be related to abuse than any other factor" according to a written response provided to councillors at their January meeting last week.

The response was given as a result of a motion tabled by Cllr Liam McDaniel calling for an improved collection and emptying schedule for clothes banks operating across the municipal district and Westmeath as a whole.

The motion was moved by Cathaoirleach of the municipal district, Cllr Vinny McCormack, at the request of the absent Cllr McDaniel, with the former telling his council colleagues it was "extraordinary that the same clothes banks are full to overflowing" all of the time.

Cllr McCormack called for "a tightening up" of the servicing schedule for the clothes banks, and said there was a need "to monitor them more closely".

He also asked if there was "a rationale for taking away some of the clothes banks," and said the issue of overspill was a big problem.

Cllr John Dolan said the community in Ballinahown had succeeded in having all clothes banks removed from the village. "If they are not financially viable, that's not our problem," he said.

District Administrator Frank Dolan explained to members that if a clothes bank is removed from one location "we have to find an alternative location for it". While conceding that there is "no doubt" that clothes banks do "attract litter," Mr Dolan pointed out that there was no "hard and fast answer" to the issues raised by members.

Annie Blessington, District Manager, said if clothes banks were full that "doesn't give a licence to anyone to leave their bags beside the bin....that is littering".

Cllr Vinny McCormack responded by saying it was "very clear" from the contributions made by members of the muncipal district that they were "keen to express their frustrations" about the issue of overflowing clothes banks.

In a written response to the motion, the executive of Westmeath County Council outlined how the local authority is party to a regionally-procured contract for the servicing of the 28 textile banks it operates across the county.

Last year alone, over 82 tonnes of textiles were collected and recycled through this network of clothes banks. Service frequency under the current contract "varies between weekly and fortnightly," said the response, and is dependent on "usage and seasonal peak".

The European Commission has proposed new rules to make producers responsible for the full life cycle cost of textile products, with this due to become operational by the end of 2028.

Until then, the response explained, local authorities "are required to continue to offer a textile bank service in their areas and maintain business continuity".

The council's response added that there was "occasional blockage of the receptacles typically by large bags or other unacceptable items such as pillows and duvets which are unsuitable for recycling, are problematic and reduce capacity.

"The contractor advises that overspill at the clothes banks is more likely to be related to abuse than any other factor," it concluded.