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Textile Recycling Association warns sector is on the brink of “collapse”
Environment and Energy, Sustainability, Treatment and Recovery
3rd April 2024
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The Textile Recycling Association (TRA) has warned the textile recycling industry is on the brink of “imminent collapse” due to global market challenges.
The TRA, which is the recognised trade association for over 75% of the UK’s used textiles collectors and sorters, said the sector faces an “unprecedented financial crisis” amid global market challenges.
The Association said industry fears it will soon be unable to collect textiles from charity shops, recycling centres and community textile banks because processing plants have reached capacity.
Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted shipping lines and “significantly escalated” operational costs for textile merchants, the TRA said. The Association continued that this situation, alongside tax increases in African and Asian markets, has put the industry under “immense financial strain”.
The TRA said the increased flow of low-quality textiles into the recycling stream caused by fast fashion has also driven up operational costs.
France, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Austria have proposed a ban on the export of “used” textiles within the EU, signalling a shift in policy. European countries potentially halting textile sorting operations compound the industry’s fears for its future, the TRA said.
The TRA has urged the UK government to regulate the industry by introducing of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles.
About michelleclarke2015
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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