TRA warns of imminent collapse in UK's textile recycling sector

The alarm has been raised following concerns voiced by its members about reaching capacity at processing plants, rendering them unable to sustain collections from charity shops, recycling centres, and community textile banks.

The failure of the UK sector to collect waste textiles poses severe environmental risks, including escalated microplastic pollution, water contamination, and an increase in landfill textile waste. Annually, the world produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste, equating to a Mount Everest-sized pile every 7 minutes or a rubbish truck's worth of textiles discarded every second, TRA said in a press release.

Valued at over £1 billion (approximately $1.26 billion) annually, the used textiles industry significantly contributes to the UK economy, impacting charities, local waste authorities, logistics, and packaging industries. The sector's downfall could affect one in every 25 jobs across the country.

Compounding the crisis, proposals from several European nations to halt the export of 'used' textiles within the EU could further destabilise the industry. France, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Austria are among countries considering such bans, marking a considerable policy shift.

Operational costs for textile merchants have skyrocketed due to disruptions in the Red Sea affecting shipping lines. This, combined with increased taxation from African and Asian markets and pressure to reduce waste exports, places the industry under significant financial pressure. The surge of low-quality textiles from fast fashion exacerbates these challenges, increasing operational costs and pushing many merchants toward financial collapse.

The TRA is calling on the UK Government for urgent intervention, suggesting the implementation of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme among other regulatory measures. The association advocates for transparent dialogue and concerted efforts to foster a sustainable textile recycling industry.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DP)