As part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KPT), the two organisations will focus on the recycling of end-of-life high-visibility personal protective equipment (PPE) clothing.
True fibre-to-fibre recycling is rare, with WRAP estimating that just 1% of end-of-life garments worldwide are recycled back into new textiles.
Steve Carrie, group director at MYGroup, said: “While the world is increasingly aware of the impact of fast fashion in the consumer market, the issue of expired PPE clothing and other items remains a sleeping giant.
“MYGroup is thrilled to receive funding for this KTP to collaborate with the University of Leeds and support our existing PPE manufacturing client base to bring a step change in addressing this critical area of waste management.”
The KTP will look to produce new yarn and thread from the waste material to be used to make new PPE.
The University of Leeds is home to the world-renowned Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITaC).
MYGroup presently works with several manufacturers and retailers of PPE to recycle end-of-life items and currently processes five tonnes of the items a year.
The project aims to prove the viability of a fully operational fibre-to-fibre recycling plant.
The waste management company added that the KTP will also allow it to support PPE manufacturers meet their extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements.
It is thought that currently up to 90% of end-of-life decommissioned PPE, workwear and corporate uniforms currently end up in landfill.
The World Economic Forum recently called for PPE producers to implement effective programmes for recycling and reusing equipment.
Dr Eleanor Scott, programme lead and lecturer at LITaC, said: “Currently, there is no truly circular solution for remanufacturing high-visibility PPE from waste items.
“This KTP offers a unique opportunity for academic experts to collaborate with MYGroup as a leader in waste management to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to complex and systemic challenges.
“Partnerships between industry and academia such as this are particularly important for fostering sustainable innovation and, in turn, stimulating green growth across the Yorkshire and Humber region.”
Ann Storey, knowledge transfer adviser from Innovate UK Business Connect, added: “I’m truly excited to be supporting this project.
“It’s a powerful example of how a Knowledge Transfer Partnership can deliver meaningful impact – not just for the business, but also the broader textile industry, as well as for the environment.
“Collaborations like this demonstrate how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand to drive novel, transformative processes.”
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