Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 11 hrs ago
UK firms turn discarded textiles into materials for new clothes
The UK throws away about 711,000 tonnes of textiles each year.
In Kettering, Project Re:Claim shreds and melts polyester clothing and bedding that cannot be reused, then turns it into pellets for new products.
The project is a partnership between The Salvation Army's trading arm and Plan B Circular, and it says its facility is Europe's first commercial-scale polyester textile-to-textile recycling plant.
Its pellets require 89% less carbon to make than virgin polyester, and brands including Dr Martens and Coach use fabric made from recycled material produced by another firm, Gen Phoenix.
Recycling at scale remains difficult because many clothes combine several fibres, while Project Re:Claim can process only items made entirely of polyester.
The partners say manufacturers need to use recycled polyester and design clothes so they can be recycled more easily.
EU rules are pushing fashion brands to cut waste and improve recyclability, while the UK firms say stronger legislation and consumer demand are needed to expand recycling.
UK recycling firms are turning discarded textiles into materials for new products, including clothing.
Project Re:Claim operates a commercial-scale polyester textile-to-textile recycling facility in Kettering.
The facility processes polyester waste into pellets that can be made into new clothes.
Project Re:Claim says its recycled polyester requires 89% less carbon to make than virgin polyester.
The firms say wider use of recycled materials depends on demand, changes in clothing design and supportive laws.
- Who
- Project Re:Claim, a partnership between The Salvation Army's trading arm and Plan B Circular, recycles polyester textiles. Gen Phoenix also transforms leather offcuts into fabric.
- What
- UK firms are turning discarded textiles into materials for new products and clothing.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Project Re:Claim's facility is in Kettering; Gen Phoenix operates in Peterborough.
- Why
- The firms aim to reduce textile waste and make materials for new products. They say laws and demand from clothing manufacturers are needed to expand recycling.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- UK textile waste
- About 711,000 tonnes binned annually
- Facility location
- Kettering
- Processing capacity
- 500kg of fabric an hour
- Recycled polyester emissions
- Project Re:Claim says its rPET requires 89% less carbon to make than virgin polyester
- Recycling limit
- Project Re:Claim's plant can recycle only items that are 100% polyester
What people are saying
It's the future: using the clothing we have today to make the clothing that we need tomorrow
We have the technology but we're way behind with legislation. It absolutely should be driving the way we design and make clothing.