UK Faces £64 Million Waste Burden if Used Textile Sector Collapses, Warns ACT UK
UK Faces £64 Million Waste Burden if Used Textile Sector Collapses, Warns ACT UK
The UK’s used textile sector is on the brink of collapse, and if it fails, local authorities could face an estimated £64 million in additional costs annually. This financial burden would ultimately fall on individuals and charities, who would be left to manage the growing volume of unwanted clothing.
Currently, textile collectors and sorters in the UK spend £88 million each year to handle used garments. However, the rapid rise of fast fashion and the flood of low-quality clothing on the market are driving down the value of second-hand textiles. This market saturation poses a serious threat to the industry’s survival.
Should the sector collapse, councils would be left with limited options: send increasing volumes of textiles to landfill or pay significantly more for waste collection services. The likely outcome? A rise in council taxes to cover the shortfall.
In response, the ACT UK project—backed by 18 partners across the textile value chain—has put forward three interconnected solutions aimed at saving the sector and creating a more circular economy:
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Advanced Sorting and Pre-Processing Facilities: Infrastructure that can identify and separate materials efficiently, making textile recycling viable.
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Redesigned Retailer Take-Back Schemes: More effective systems for returning and reusing clothing at the point of purchase.
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Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): A policy tool that holds manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, encouraging better design and end-of-life planning.
Led in collaboration with sustainability experts WRAP, the ACT UK initiative aims to create a national blueprint for textile recycling that retains material value, drives economic growth, and creates jobs.
This systemic change isn’t just about waste management—it’s a pathway to sustainable living. By embracing circular practices, the UK can protect natural resources, fight climate change, and build a fairer, greener economy.