The Home Affairs Department today launched a used clothes recycling bank scheme to support environmental protection and help people donate used clothes to charities. 

Four non-governmental organisations experienced in used clothes collection - Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong), Christian Action, the Salvation Army and the Conservancy Association - have been appointed scheme managers to look after "banks" placed at 172 off-street locations. They include parks, sitting-out areas, sports centres, libraries, community hall and community centre entrances and common areas in private buildings and commercial centres.

District Officers from all 18 districts identified the spots and received the consent of concerned government departments, owners' operations and property-management agents.

Charities can apply to operate a clothing 'bank' 

All approved charitable institutions and trusts under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance are eligible to apply for operating the "banks". Interested organisations should approach the four scheme managers directly. 

Until the end of August, the managers will process applications for operating the "banks" in the October to December quarter. Participating organisations may operate them on their own, or seek assistance from the scheme manager in areas such as transportation, sorting, processing and disposal of used clothes.

See the department's website for details.

Since mid-July, more than 300 on-street used clothes collection cages have been removed. No owners have come forward to claim them, and no charges have been laid.