If you’ve found our website, you likely have an interest in the recycling of unwanted clothing or you have some items you want to get rid of yourself. Either way, simply stopping by is a great step on the journey to a more sustainable lifestyle. Here at Collect My Clothes, our passion is to ensure unwanted textiles do not end up in landfill.
The textile industry is responsible for a huge amount of damage to our environment and for that reason retailers must make ethical changes to lower their carbon footprint.
Whilst many of us might have heard about textile recycling, what does the industry stand for and what impacts is it having on the world? Here are ten facts that discuss exactly that.
1. Textile Industry in the UK is worth around £26 billion and creates over 800,000 jobs, making it the UK’s largest creative industry.
2. Nike is the largest fashion company in the world, with a market value of £105 billion and they have recently launched ‘Net To Zero’ which is Nikes campaign to move towards zero carbon and zero waste.
3. Every year in the UK, on average 360,000 tonnes of used but still wearable clothing goes to landfill. This equals around 140 million pounds worth of clothing.
4. The British do try and send their items to the correct place with around 700,000 tonnes of clothing going to recycling centres, textile banks, clothes collections and to charity every year.
5. The average UK consumer spent £10.3 billion in 2015 on footwear, which was up by 6.5% on the previous year.
6. Next is the largest retailer in the UK and is worth £8.5 billion.
7. The UK is the leader in fashion education and we have over 20 leading fashion universities.
8. Consumers in the UK have an estimated £37.2 billion worth of unworn clothes in their wardrobe.
9. The demand for raw materials in the industry is expected to rise by 2050.
10. 57% of people in England say they recycle their textiles, however, around 41% of people say they’re not aware of recycling facilities for textiles.
To get involved and follow our three-step process to recycle your textiles, click here.
