Textiles

•  Totals of textile waste are estimated to be between 550,000 and 900,000 tonnes per year, with most of this coming from household sources

•  As we all know, many items of clothing and pairs of shoes are thrown away because they are not fashionable, don't fit or have been outgrown

•  It is estimated that 400,000 to 700,000 tonnes of textiles are sent to landfill every year, worth an estimated £400 million.

•  At least 50% of the textiles going to landfill are recyclable. 

•  The amount of textile waste reused or recycled annually in the UK is estimated to be 250,000 tonnes.

•  Recovery and recycling provide both environmental and economic benefits. 

It is estimated that over 70% of the world's population 
use second hand clothes

Textile recovery:•  Reduces the need for landfill space. Textiles present particular problems in landfill as synthetic (man-made fibres) products will not decompose, while woollen garments do decompose and produce methane, which contributes to global warming.

•  Reduces pressure on virgin resources.

•  Aids the balance of payments as we import fewer materials for our needs.

•  Results in less pollution and energy savings, as fibres do not have to be transported from abroad