Reducing waste by re-using textiles

Rachel Gray

Programme Area Manager – Re-use Collections

About WRAP

WRAP’s vision is a world without waste, where resources are used sustainably.

We help businesses, individuals and communities reap the benefits of reducing waste, developing sustainable products and using resources in an efficient way.

Contents

Definition of textiles

National context

Collections

Communications

Local examples

Definition of Textiles

Clothing, shoes, belts etc.

Household non-clothing – curtains, bedding

Mattresses

Carpets and rugs

Leisure Textiles – tents, sleeping bag etc.

National Context

Still significant amounts of re-usable textiles of value going to landfill

Collected textiles are going to landfill due to contamination and wetness

Re-use through established collection methods is working well and has the potential to be utilised further

Infrastructure & markets

There is an established market for clothing and household textiles

Proportion of UK sorted clothing has decreased

Buoyant overseas markets

52% of clothing collected by Charity Shops is sold in the shops

Further market development is needed for the re-use of mattresses and carpets

Stop textiles going to landfill

Textiles have a value.

We threw away at least £238 million

last year

Opportunities for re-use

All collection routes with the exception of kerbside co-mingled can preserve quality

We need to get people using them even more

Established re-use markets exist and can be maximised - washing and drying can upgrade waste textiles to re-use grades

We need to tackle perception issues around mattresses re-use

Collections

Consider what is happening in your area

Try to avoid moving materials from one route to another

Preserve quality at every stage

Make it easy for householders to take part

Work with agencies to tackle theft

Communications

Clear communications about all the methods the public can use is key

Need to overcome perceptions about fraudulent clothing collections

Need to explain who is carrying out the collection and who is benefitting

Need to consider how to ask householders to donate all types and quality of textiles

Communication

Watch this space – collections for reuse

Pilots to test survival bags for comingled kerbside collection

Template communications materials

Research to determine collection costs and options for mattresses, carpets, duvets and pillows

Pilots to look at innovation for collection of textiles such as retailer take back and businesses as collection hubs for clothing

Local Examples

Working with Charities

Local Authority Partnerships

RECAP

Focus efforts on existing routes

Target audience - women under 45 with financial pressures

Worked with the Charity Retail Association

Used MOSAIC profiling to decide on the location for the fayres

Aim is to make this a family day out

Wear it, Love it, share it

Partnership – SE Wales Joint Contract

Nine local authorities in South Wales

„The contract covers 100 sites (bring sites and HWRCs).

Aims to achieve a minimum collection of 1,000 tonnes of textiles per year.

„„Textile recycling is now cash-positive - able to generate at least £500,000

„In the early part of 2012, approximately 50 new sites were added

Support Available from WRAP

Waste Prevention Loan Fund

Support for local partnerships

Support for the Third Sector

SCAP ezine for clothing

Join SCAP

Be part of the SCAP 2020 Commitment to reduce the environmental footprint of UK clothing

Further information

Rachel.gray@wrap.org.uk

Visit www.wrap.org.uk/textiles for

Textiles flow and market development opportunities in the UK

Textile feedstock sources

Washing and drying trials

For the textiles collection guide www.wrap.org.uk/content/textiles-guide

Visit our stand no. 19W25