What to do with old pillows?

[Robert Poste's Child]

Does anyone know of a local organisation that takes old (feather/down) pillows? Celia Hammond doesn't. Google hasn't been much help either but I may be asking it the wrong question.

Grateful for suggestions.

Thanks.

[Mustard]

Have you tried Battersea?

Or maybe they can just go for textile recycling.

[nxjen]

Depends what kind of condition they are but there's a large textile recycling bin outside the MIND charity shop on Goose Green that can be used for pillows and bedding.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Thanks, Mustard. Battersea uses only specialised bedding but I might make them some 'woolly wands':

http://www.battersea.org.uk/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00Pb0000006suYkEAI

[Mustard]

Isn't there also a textile place in Sainsbury's car park?

Wooly wands for the kitties? One of my cats used to love playing with emery boards.

People with old eiderdowns might like the feathers.

[katanita]

There is also a textile bin in Peckham Rye Park.

As it happens, I need to get rid of some old pillows as well and was going to take them to one of these. Every time I take textiles to Sainsbury's though it is overflowing though, and it doesn't feel right to just leave stuff in bags on the ground. I think it was a similar situation in the park last time I went as well. Anyone know when they get cleared so I can actually get it in there? Or is the MIND one a better bet?

[intexasatthe moment]

I think I'd put them in my green general household bin .

[katanita]

Hmm. From the Southwark A-Z of waste:

"Duvets, pillows or bed sheets

Bed linen in good condition can be taken to the numerous textile banks throughout the borough. " https://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/10070/recycling/1365/a_to_z_of_waste_and_recycling/5

Not sure what counts as good condition, but I'm guessing they don't mean something that has been in use for a year or more so the green bin is probably right @intexas

[Alex K]

Feathers are just specially configured keratin -- protein -- wet them (a squortch of washing liquid will help) and put the soggy mass into the brown bin or onto a compost heap, I reckon. Pillowcases... textile options as above.

[KidKruger]

Find a tower block.

Get a razor blade.

Climb to top.

Slit pillow out of window / over balcony.

Watch your feather-cloud dissipate over the streets below - a fitting sky burial for the poor bird that donated the feathers possibly years before.

Note: not same with foam-filled pillows.

[MrBen]

Wash them and give them to someone with newborn baby or two. They're very handy.

[Seabag]

Eat them along with a side portion of Kale

Actually Kale is the devil's (super)food

Now i've thought about it i'd compost the Kale and steam the pillows

*chilli sauce optional

[Robert Poste's Child]

Ye-es... Might just offer free in For Sale section and see if anyone replies. Otherwise textile recycling at West Dulwich as that has more space.

Or Katanita and I could have a sponsored pillow fight.

[Jennys]

I packed ours under the bath behind the bath panel. The pillows really do keep the bath water hot for much longer. After your bath leave the water in the bath. It will be ages before it gets cold and meanwhile it helps keep your home warm.

[katanita]

Too late for both a pillow fight or bath insulation, I put them in the green bin. The bath idea is a brilliant one, next time...

[Laddy Muck]

Stuff in a couple of old compost bags or bin liners and use as "duvet" for your compost heap. Waste will heat up and therefore rot more quickly. :))

[Alan Medic]

And on next weeks Gardener's Questiontime we will be discussing what to do with old bags.