Ballina residents will be able to clear out their wardrobes without leaving the car when a drive-through clothing drop-off day comes to town next month.

The free event will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 10am to 2pm at the Ballina Salvage Shed car park on Southern Cross Drive.

Ballina Shire Council has partnered with e-THREAD, a specialist textile recycler that collects, sorts and diverts clothing for reuse, resale or material recovery.

Proceeds from the collected items will go towards Open Parachute, which delivers tools to help young people manage anxiety, build resilience and navigate social challenges.

Council’s resource recovery education officer Justine Rowe said the event builds on strong local interest in sustainable fashion.

“The Ballina community has been highly engaged in our ReWear project, which kicked off in mid-2025 with the aim of supporting a local, circular clothing community,” Ms Rowe said.

“We always encourage mindful consumption and extending the life of the clothes you already own, but this drop-off event is an easy, free way to clear out your wardrobe and avoid sending textiles to landfill.”

The push comes as clothing waste continues to surge.

The United Nations Environment Programme estimates the fashion industry accounts for about 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, while Australians send more than 200,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill each year.

Producing a single pair of jeans can require more than 10,000 litres of water, highlighting the environmental cost of fast fashion.

Locally, the issue is also being felt by charities.

Local op shops frequently report being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clothing donations, with a significant portion unsuitable for resale due to damage or poor quality.

That leaves volunteer-run stores to sort, store and often pay to dispose of unusable items.

The upcoming drop-off day aims to provide a more streamlined pathway for unwanted textiles, while ensuring items are processed through an organised recycling system.

Unwanted clothing from First World countries ends up in stockpiles in developing countries – this pile photographed by the ABC in Ghana. (Photo:ABC Andrew Greaves)

It also aligns with broader efforts to improve reuse and waste recovery across the shire.

The Ballina Tip Shop has recently reopened under direct council management, offering residents another way to divert usable goods from landfill.

On the day, residents can drive through the Salvage Shed car park and hand over items without leaving their vehicle, although organisers say visitors are welcome to stop and browse inside.

Accepted items include men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, along with shoes, bags, hats, towels and bed linen, provided they are clean and in reasonable condition.

Organisers say the message is simple — donate thoughtfully and help turn unwanted clothing into positive environmental and social outcomes.