WRAP trials to help the UK textile recycling sector

14 Sep '12

4 min read

The Branded Workwear Report reveals that only 10% of no-longer-required work clothing is currently recycled or re-used and suggests the steps that could be taken to reduce waste and encourage re-use.

Impact of Textile Feedstock Source on Value assesses the impact that differing sources of recovered textiles has on the quality, and the subsequent value, of those textiles within the UK re-use and recycling markets. The results from the WRAP trials will help the textile recycling sector identify which sources generate the highest value returns in existing and new markets.

The third report investigates the economic and environmental impacts of washing and drying contaminated textiles for re-use and recycling markets.

At the same time, WRAP is launching new guidance to help local authorities and textiles collectors increase re-use and recycling, and reduce the amount of textiles being disposed of in residual waste. It provides practical advice and examples of existing good practice for kerbside textile collection services, bring banks (where members of the public can bring item for re-use and recycling), and community re-use initiatives.

It also offers advice on how to communicate textile re-use and recycling services to the public.

“If you consider the findings of this latest research into textiles and factor in the results of our Valuing our Clothes report which we issued in July, it’s clear that the whole area of textiles re-use and recycling offers enormous potential,” said Marcus.

“What our research demonstrates is that there are real opportunities here for organisations and individuals to reduce our carbon footprint by diverting textiles from landfill and extracting the maximum financial end economic benefits available from smarter re-use and recycling.

“WRAP’s role isn’t just about providing the sound research that spotlights the best areas for focus. It’s also about taking steps to help organisations tap into this potential. The new guidance we’re launching is just part of that work.”

WRAP is now planning to look in detail at the types of recycling technologies that exist, and their commercial viability.

“We’ll also be researching the global rag and fibre market with a view to identifying ways of growing existing and developing new markets for all the materials identified in our textiles flow report,” added Marcus.

Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

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