During this annual campaign the focus is on clothing – asking people to think more about donating, reusing, rewearing and restyling rather than just wearing and discarding.

Clothing is the most environmentally damaging type of household waste, accounting for nearly a third of the carbon impacts of Scotland’s household waste despite being only 4% by weight that goes into our bins.

Councillor Norman Rae, the Chair of the council’s Climate and Sustainability Committee, said: “Without realising it, many of us are disposing of so many items that can easily be recycled or reused in such a way that it does not impact adversely on our environment.

“So, let us all think about what we are simply just throwing away when there are so many other ways that we can make unwanted items viable again, reducing waste and our carbon footprint so that we can help improve the climate we all live in.”

This month it is hoped that everyone will start to think more about unwanted clothing and other household items.

More information is available on the council’s What you can recycle and how pages, as well as:

• Circular Communities Scotland have a map for finding Reuse and Repair organisations
• There’s also the Charity Retail Association map for charity shops
• Find your nearest charity shop or reuse organisation using Zero Waste Scotland’s Reuse Tool
• Donate your clothes, books and other items by post for free to Oxfam
• Book a free collection of your items from organisations such as the British Heart Foundation
• Pass on your unwanted items using your local Freecycle group or ‘free to go’ Facebook groups
• Find your nearest clothing banks from Salvation Army and other charities using the Recyclenow tool
• Learn how to repair clothing at your local repair group - Revolve Recycle in Cambuslang run weekly classes

And you can even save or make money from second hand items:

• Clear out your wardrobe using online selling platforms like eBay or Vinted
• Use local buy and sell platforms such as Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace
• Find out about local car boot sales and markets on What’s On Lanarkshire

More information about Second Hand September is on Oxfam’s website along with their guide to sustainable, eco-friendly shopping.

This month is also the Lanarkshire Climate Festival - events in your area include:

• Wednesday 10 September – Upcycle and repair sewing workshop in Larkhall
• Thursday 11 September – How to set up a repair café and sharing library (online)
• Friday 12 September - Pre-loved exchange in Larkhall
• Tuesday 16 September – Mend and repair workshop Blantyre
• Friday 19 September – Reuse in style - sustainable fashion show in Cambuslang