Sometimes helping to improve the environment is seen as being beyond our individual reach. Yet, it can be easily be done by choosing what to do with our old clothes. From one season to the next, many people get rid of some of their clothes; either because they no longer fit them or because they have gone out of fashion.   The question that arises more often than not is: What should I do with these clothes that I no longer want or need?

In fact there is a better solution than throwing your old clothes. Have you ever wondered whether you can actually recycle those old clothes?

In Malta, Refab Malta is responsible for the collecting of used clothes and other textiles, which are collected in collaboration with some local councils and schools.

But, in my opinion, there needs to be more awareness about this, and all local councils should provide a site where used clothes and other textiles can be collected - all that is needed is a clothing bank where residents can deposit their old clothes. These are then collected by a Refab truck and are taken to their premises for further processing.

The recycling process includes sorting, re-sorting, shredding and pulling, carding and spinning. The only process carried in Malta is that of sorting.  Once sorted, the textiles are placed in large boxes and are shipped to Northern Ireland. Shipping usually takes about two days.  On arrival in Northern Ireland, the clothes are separated into four groups; paired shoes, wipers, flocking and fibre reclaim.

If some clothes are found to be in really good condition, they are resold. The others are recycled and are used to produce new clothes. These recycled clothes are squashed in a safe bale, packed and loaded onto a container truck - and are ready to be shipped all around the world.

Textile recycling is a new phenomenon being introduced to Malta, and an awareness campaign should be introduced to help increase its popularity.  After all, clothing and textiles are nearly 100 percent recyclable and the more we recycle the more we reduce our environmental impact and carbon footprint.

This article was written as part of the Young Reporters for the Environment programme.  Ms Blundell is a student at St Thomas School College, Zejtun