The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has revealed a bold new roadmap to revolutionize the country’s textile waste management system, outlining a national textile recycling hub designed to scale circularity across the fashion and textile sector.
Commissioned by UKFT and developed by Oxford Economics, the new report details the potential social, economic, and environmental benefits of building a recycling infrastructure anchored by three Automatic Textile Sorting Plants (ATSPs) and a chemical recycling facility over the next decade.
At full operational capacity, the proposed hub would divert nearly 150,000 tonnes of textile waste annually from landfill and incineration. Of this, 50,000 tonnes would be chemically recycled into new fibres, enabling the production of sustainable clothing materials within the UK and reducing reliance on virgin resources.
The economic benefits of this model are compelling.
Current textile disposal practices cost the UK economy approximately £200 million per year. UKFT’s vision suggests that a centralized recycling hub could save over £24 million annually in landfill and incineration gate fees alone.
The construction phase of the project could generate 620 job years and contribute £46 million in Gross Value Added (GVA). Once fully operational, the hub is projected to support 720 ongoing jobs and add approximately £53 million to UK GDP each year.
Regional Impact and Technology Integration
The East Midlands, North West, and South West regions have been identified as ideal host locations for the ATSPs, with the chemical recycling plant planned for the East Midlands—positioning the region as a frontrunner in textile circularity and economic revitalization.
Advanced automation and artificial intelligence will be central to the ATSPs, enabling precise sorting of textiles by fibre type and quality, which is key to scalable and efficient recycling. The chemical plant would enable closed-loop recycling of synthetics like polyester, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods.
Strategic Alignment with Circular Economy Goals
This initiative is part of the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN), led by UKFT and the British Fashion Council (BFC), in collaboration with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). CFIN focuses on six key areas including sustainable manufacturing, green growth, and recycling infrastructure.
The new recycling hub complements ongoing efforts under the ACT UK project, also spearheaded by UKFT, which is currently establishing a practical model for ATSP deployment in the UK.
With mounting pressure on brands and manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices, UKFT’s proposal offers a timely and tangible pathway toward a more circular and resource-efficient textile industry.
📄 Download the full report and supporting data here
