At Enviro Waste Management we offer different methods of textile recycling. It depends on what the client needs, and on the quality of the goods being collected.
As we know, the fast-fashion industry is massive, leading to a massive increase in the amount of clothing being thrown away every year.
In 2019 a House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee found that “Around 300,000 tonnes of textile waste ends up in household black bins every year, sent to landfill or incinerators. Less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing at the end of its life”.
Recycling textiles properly is essential for the environment, but getting more use out of each piece of clothing is far more preferable. WRAP stated that “Extending the life of clothes by just 9 months of active use would reduce carbon, water and waste footprints by 20-30% each.”
Our first option therefore is one of reuse, with two possible outcomes:
- Clothing from well-known/popular labels, which is in reusable condition, is collected and forwarded to our textile reuse partner. They then export the clothing to Poland, where it is sorted and shipped into neighbouring countries for sale in local stores where it is highly sort after.
- Clothing that isn’t Poland-bound goes to charity shops around London.
Where reuse is not possible due to the quality of the goods, or where reuse is not desirable, textiles are recycled.
Some of our clients request secure destruction for samples or prototype designs in clothing, textiles and shoes. We can arrange any level of security for the collection, transport, and disposal of these items. The price varies according to the levels of security needed.
Where there is no sensitivity around the items for recycling, the textiles are sent for fibre-to-fibre processing, where they are mechanically combed back into loosen fibres, creating a “non-woven” felt. This product can be used for insulation, filling for mattresses, acoustic materials, and carpet underlay.
Anything we collect that falls outside of the reuse and recycling possibilities list above are sent for Waste-to-Energy incineration. This is where waste is burnt, and the heat generated is captured and used to create energy which goes into the national grid.
If you have any questions on these processes or have textiles or clothing that needs to be responsibly disposed of, please get in touch today.
📲 020 3773 1132
📧 kate@envirowastemangement.com
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