UKFT Unveils Vision For National Textile Recycling Hub
The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has released a comprehensive report outlining the social, economic, and environmental benefits of developing a large-scale textile recycling hub in the UK. The proposal centres on a phased rollout of three Automatic Textile Sorting Plants (ATSPs) and a chemical recycling facility, aimed at transforming the country’s approach to textile waste management.
Commissioned by UKFT and developed by Oxford Economics, the report presents a compelling case for investing in recycling infrastructure. Once operational, the hub could divert nearly 150,000 tonnes of textile waste from landfill and incineration each year. Of this, approximately 50,000 tonnes would be chemically recycled into new fibres for clothing, with the remainder directed toward alternative reuse and recycling pathways.
The project could significantly reduce the UK’s textile waste disposal costs, which currently stand at an estimated £200 million annually. The recycling hub is expected to save over £24 million each year in avoided landfill and incineration gate fees.
Economically, the initiative offers strong returns. The construction and fit-out of the facilities over a four-year period could support 620 job years and add £46 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy. Once fully operational, the hub could support 720 jobs and contribute around £53 million to GDP annually.
The proposed locations for the ATSPs include the East Midlands, North West, and South West, with the East Midlands also earmarked for the chemical recycling facility. These regions are expected to see considerable economic benefits, particularly the East Midlands as the central node of the national recycling hub.
The ATSPs would deploy advanced automation to sort textile waste by fibre type and quality, enabling more efficient and scalable recycling. The chemical recycling plant would focus on closed-loop processes, particularly for polyester and other synthetics.
This initiative is part of the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN), a collaborative effort led by UKFT and the British Fashion Council (BFC), in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). CFIN addresses key areas such as recycling infrastructure, sustainable manufacturing, and green growth. The hub plan complements the ACT UK project, which aims to deliver a working blueprint for ATSP implementation across the country.
