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Recovery and recycling of textile waste can bring both
environmental and economic benefits including: -
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Reducing the need for landfill space
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Reducing the use of virgin resources
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Saving on energy consumption when processing, as
items do not need to be redyed or scoured
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Reducing effluent, as raw wool has to be thoroughly
washed using large volumes of water
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Reducing the demand for dyes and fixing agents.
The majority of textile waste originates from household
sources (post-consumer waste) however waste textiles
are also produced during the manufacture of yarn and
fabric as well as the garment making process and from
the retail industry (post-industrial waste).
The DTI estimates that only approximately 25% of the
textile waste arisings are reused or recycled annually
in the UK. The majority of collected post-consumer textile
waste is used as second-hand clothing both at home and
abroad or is used in the wiping and flocking industry.
Most post-industrial waste (often reprocess in house)
is used by fibre reclaimers to make into new items of
clothing etc.
Further Information
Waste
Watch : UK Recycled products guide
TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International
Development)
Textile Recycling Association (Trade Association)
PO Box 124
Huntingdon
Cambs
PE18 7DP
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