Nine people in blue uniforms and yellow helmets stand and kneel in front of an open shipping container filled with tightly packed black garbage bags at night.

Bag it and Bank it Recycling Champions 2026

You donated an incredible 536 tonnes of clothing, raising tens of thousands of pounds this January - a huge thank you to all of you.

Did you know that every time you drop a piece of unwanted clothing at our recycling banks, you’re directly helping serving and retired firefighters, Control Room colleagues and support staff in our fire services community, as well as their loved ones?

This January, you helped to raise thousands of pounds through these donations as part of our 2026 Bag it and Bank it recycling campaign.

In total, you donated 536 tonnes of clothing to recycling banks outside fire stations and community sites. With help from our dedicated team of recycling partners, without whom none of this would be possible, this has generated  £63,760 of income – funds that directly support fire service personnel and their families.

A special mention goes to the Hunstanton Fire Cadets who went above and beyond and collected the equivalent of 1,487kgs – which would put them 35th in the entire league – an amazing effort.

A red garbage truck is parked in a lot, facing rows of numerous black trash bags neatly lined up on the ground, with houses, cars, and a cloudy sky in the background.

Our Commercial Sales Manager, Dennis Gearty, says: “I want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated clothing, organised collections and truly went the extra mile to make this year’s Bag It and Bank It campaign such a success. From some incredible support from cadets across the UK, to stations going above and beyond to fill their banks – and of course the unwavering support of our recycling partners – it’s been fantastic to see communities come together.

“The funds raised through your donations will help to ensure we can continue providing lifelong care and support to members of our fire services community, during and after their service.”

Bag it and Bank it Recycling Champions 2025:

UK-wide and Wales

The overall UK champion this year is once again Aberbargoed Fire Station in South Wales, having won last year too with an impressive effort from the whole community. Together, they collected 6,424kg of clothing – raising £770.

Scotland

Bishopbriggs Fire Station in Scotland came top of Scottish FRS, having come out top last year too, raising £492 from 4,100kg of clothing.

England

And making it a trio, Esher Fire Station in Surrey once again came top for England having collected 3,015kg of clothing – raising £361.

A huge congratulations to all the winners this year and thank you to all those across the UK who generously donated their clothes, as well as our dedicated recycling partners.

Top 20 fire stations:

Here we’ve listed the top 20 fire stations from across the UK:

Station Fire & Rescue Service Weight donated
1. Aberbargoed Fire Station South Wales FRS 6,424kg
2. Cwmbran Fire Station South Wales FRS 4,200kg
3. Bishopbriggs Fire Station Scottish FRS 4,100kg
4. Kirkintilloch Fire Station Scottish FRS 3,900kg
5. Kilsyth Fire Station Scottish FRS 3,575kg
6. Esher Fire Station Surrey FRS 3,015kg
7. Walton-on-Thames Fire Station Surrey FRS 2,805kg
8. Chatteris Fire Station Cambridgeshire FRS 2,675kg
9. Newport Pagnell Fire Station Buckinghamshire FRS 2,560kg
10. Egremont Fire Station Cumbria FRS 2,356kg
11. Oundle Fire Station Northamptonshire FRS 2,300kg
12. Glynneath Fire Station Mid & West Wales FRS 2,285kg
13. Beaconsfield Fire Station Buckinghamshire FRS 2,260kg
14. Solihull Fire Station West Midlands FRS 2,260kg
15. Raunds Fire Station Northamptonshire FRS 2,240kg
16. Tredegar Fire Station South Wales FRS 2,230kg
17. Bidford On Avon Fire Station Warwickshire FRS 2,220kg
18. Shirebrook Community Fire Station Derbyshire FRS 2,140kg
19. Milngavie Station Scottish FRS 1,895kg
20. Abersychan Fire Station South Wales FRS 1,885kg