Textiles recycling faces crisis
Collapse of the textiles recycling sector because of global market challenges is imminent, predicts The Textile Recycling Association (TRA).
The TRA, a recognised trade association for over 75% of the UK’s used textiles collectors and sorters, say they have been made aware of the risks by their members.
The industry has expressed ‘real fear’ about being unable to collect from charity shops, recycling centres and community textile banks, as capacity is reached at processing plants.
The TRA urges the UK Government to step in and regulate the industry including an introduction of an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.
They warn that the wider impact of the UK sector not collecting waste textiles will result in environmental consequences, including microplastic pollution, water pollution and the accumulation of textile waste in landfills.
Globally, 92Mt of textile waste are produced each year.
The used textiles industry in the UK is valued at over £1bln annually and will affect 1 in every 25 jobs in the UK.
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 – compounding fears.
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 TRA says the industry faces immense financial strain as a result.
Fast fashion has intensified the influx of low-quality textiles into the recycling stream, driving up operational costs, the TRA notes.
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