City expands bra recycling scheme

Women in the city have donated more than 13,000 bras since June

A bra recycling service is being extended across Brighton with cardboard collection points being offered to shops and businesses across the city.

Brighton council said having more collection points would make it even easier for women to recycle underwear.

Deputy council leader Dee Simson said the authority had been amazed by the support the scheme had already had.

She said women in the city had donated more than 13,000 bras and raised nearly £700 for charity since June.

We're hoping women all over the city will soon be bringing their bras to work Councillor Dee Simson

"We wanted to make it even easier for women to recycle their unwanted bras by offering a collection service for shops and businesses," she added.

"We're hoping women all over the city will soon be bringing their bras to work."

The bras are sent with other clothing to developing countries including Africa, Pakistan and Eastern Europe, where they are repaired and sold on.

Each bra donated earns money for local breast cancer charity The Pink Dolphin Appeal which raises money for The Park Centre for Breast Cancer in Brighton.

The scheme was launched in June by Cityclean, Brighton council's waste, recycling and street cleansing service, and BCR Global, a textile recycling company.

BCR Global pays £1 a kilo for the bras and the money goes to breast cancer charities.