The Textile Recycling Association (TRA) has sounded the alarm about the imminent collapse of the textile recycling sector due to global market challenges.

As the recognised trade association for over 75% of the UK’s Used Textiles collectors and sorters, it has been made aware of their plight by its members. There is real fear in the industry about being unable to collect from charity shops, recycling centres and community textile banks, due to reaching capacity at processing plants.

According to the TRA, the wider impact of the UK sector not collecting waste textiles will result in devastating environmental consequences, including microplastic pollution, water pollution, and the accumulation of textile waste in landfills. Globally, 92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced each year, this waste is equivalent to the height of Mount Everest every 7 minutes or equivalent to a rubbish truck’s worth of textiles being thrown away every second.

The used textiles industry in the UK is valued at over one billion pounds annually, impacting sectors such as UK Charities, Local Waste Authorities, the Logistics Industry, the Packaging Industry, and will affect 1 in every 25 jobs in the UK.

Furthermore, European countries potentially halting textile sorting operations compound the industry’s fears for the sector’s future. France, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Austria have proposed a ban on the export of ‘used’ textiles within the EU, signalling a significant shift in policy.

The crisis in the Red Sea which is disrupting shipping lines, has significantly escalated operational costs for textile merchants. Coupled with increasing taxation from African and Asian markets and mounting pressure to curb waste exports, the industry faces immense financial strain, the TRA statement said. 

Fast fashion has intensified the influx of low-quality textiles into the recycling stream. This has further driven up operational costs, pushing many textile merchants to the brink of financial collapse.

The TRA urged the UK Government to step in and regulate the industry including an introduction of an EPR scheme (Extended Producer Responsibility). Transparent dialogue and concerted efforts are needed to support a sustainable industry, it said.