Textile recyclers advised to work with retailers

The comments came from the director of the Textile Recycling Association as the Association celebrated its 100th anniversary at a reception in the Houses of Parliament yesterday (February 13).

The TRA is the UKs trade body for used clothing and textile collectors, sorters and reprocessors. Its members include textile recyclers and a number of charitable organisations.

Director Alan Wheeler urged the Associations members to work with retailers offering textile recycling or take-back schemes, such as Marks & Spencers shwopping campaign (see letsrecycle.com story).

Giving a report on the state of the industry, Mr Wheeler said: I would caution those who believe saying that you should not try to mend something that isnt broken. As well as struggling with the current economic woes, our members need to move forward just to stand still. High profile clothing retailers are moving into this sector with M&S and H&M working with TRA members to roll out their in-store take back scheme.

He added: As the success of these schemes become more apparent, it is likely that more retailers will want to follow suit. Even if you are relatively small business or charity this should not preclude you from taking advantage of the move. You may be more suited to working with retailers on a more local level. A challenge lies ahead here for all our members.

The comments follow the publication of a report by WRAP which outlined a number of potential new business models for retailers to encourage the reuse of clothing (see letsrecycle.com story).

Thefts

Looking forward, Mr Wheeler said stamping out the theft of textiles and the systematic dumping of clothing collection banks without the landowners permission would remain a priority for the TRA.

Attendees also heard from Mervyn Jones, head of products and materials at the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), who gave an update on its work on textiles and Matt George, logistics director for Oxfam who outlined the challenges the charity is facing. Members also raised concerns about the thefts of clothing and current market conditions.

Oxfam has already taken action to reduce the amount of clothing stolen from its network of textiles banks. Speaking at the event, Mr George said Oxfam was in the process of replacing its stock of banks with different models and collecting the textiles more often to ensure they are not targeted by thieves.

Mr George added that Oxfams work with the police to date had resulted in 96 investigations, 24 prosecutions and six jail terms.

Confidence

The event was supported by Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, who praised the work of the TRA. Ms Crouch also highlighted the need to build the publics confidence in the sector.

She said: People have made it very clear to me about some businesses that have gone bust in recent times and the increase in theft as something that can impact on them It is something that I think the government takes very seriously.

Ms Crouch added that the industry needs to keep pressing the government, to give the public confidence in textile recycling. People need the understanding and confidence that when they are putting out their clothing or recycling for charity, they have the knowledge that they are doing so for genuine collectors and genuine charities.

Market

In a report presented by the TRAs president, Ross Barry, difficult market conditions were noted. Mr Barry said at the end of 2012 it seemed the ceiling had been hit and prices were now beginning to fall.

A report was also provided by Marc Ratzker, managing director of wiper firm Coppermill. The report details the tough trading conditions for wiper companies including the continued decline in the UK manufacturing base and the increase in production costs. A significant decline in the amount of raw material available was also highlighted.