SCAP 2020 makes slow progress on clothing waste

SCAP 2020 launched in June 2013 when WRAP identified key areas that could deliver reductions in the environmental impact of clothing, including: using lower impact fibres; extending the active life of clothes; and increasing re-use and recycling (see letsrecycle.com story).

Under the commitments, signatories pledged to reduce carbon, water and waste to landfill by 15% alongside a 3.5% reduction in the amount of waste arising per tonne of clothing by 2020.

The targets are measured against a 2012 baseline, and would require a 16,000 tonne waste reduction across the clothing supply chain, encompassing the entire lifecycle of the products.

Signatories

82 signatories and supporters have signed up to the commitment including nationwide retailers such as the Arcadia Group, Debenhams, John Lewis, New Look, Next and Marks and Spencer, alongside clothing designers, textile recyclers and waste management firms. WRAP estimates that signatories to the commitment represent over 50% of the UK retail market by sales, volume and value.

WRAP has launched an update on the progress made during the first two years of the project today, coinciding with its annual conference in London. The organisation noted that overall a 12.5% per tonne reduction in the water impact of clothing has been registered by signatories, against a 15% overall target by 2020.

The organisation also claimed that signatories are making ‘encouraging’ progress to cut carbon impacts, having achieved a 3.5% reduction per tonne of clothing against a 15% reduction target.

However, on waste arisings, WRAP noted that the level of clothing waste generated by signatories has remained stable so far and will require SCAP signatories to ‘work closely with their supply chain’.

Waste

Marcus Gover, director at WRAP, said: “SCAP signatories have made great progress against the targets to date, particularly water. This is a positive indication of what can be achieved and we must capitalise on the momentum we’ve built.

“We will be working with the sector to ensure focus is maintained on priority areas. And whilst waste arisings haven’t been reduced, they have remained stable and we are encouraging concentrated efforts in this area.”

Focus on the waste side of the project has included work to consumers care for clothing and reducing waste to landfill – through WRAP’s consumer campaign Love Your Clothes – and working with supply chains to reduce waste arisings.

Commenting on the results, Defra resources minister Rory Stewart, said: “Clothing brands and stores can make a valuable contribution towards a sustainable environment – by extending the life of clothes, making better use of resources and encouraging reuse and recycling.

“These early results demonstrate good progress and while there is still more to do I’m pleased so many companies have signed up and are taking on this challenge.”

• WRAP has also today published its ‘Food Futures’ report, which recommends actions within the food supply chain to reduce resource use and boost food security as well as the role consumers can play in reducing food waste. WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin, said: “In the next ten years we will be faced with challenges around feeding a growing population and nutritional security. Our ‘Food Futures’ report highlights how governments, businesses and we, as consumers, can turn these challenges into opportunities.”