This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish a circular economy within the UK textile sector, in response to an Innovate UK funding call for closed-loop recycling solutions.
The report includes detailed plans for developing a scalable ATSP facility by 2026, featuring advanced sorting technology to increase efficiency and accuracy. It also examines how automation can improve sorting processes and emphasises the importance of public engagement in driving more sustainable consumer behaviour.
In addition to presenting the technical and environmental rationale for the facility, the report outlines the economic risks associated with failing to act on this opportunity.
It advocates for coordinated action from government, industry, and consumers to support the establishment of a fully operational ATSP and encourage UK manufacturers to incorporate circular materials into their production processes.
The report also emphasises the potential economic drawbacks of failing to address textile waste, as well as the positive environmental and industrial impacts that could result from creating a circular system.
It urges a collective effort from government entities, businesses, and consumers to progress towards the next stage, which entails setting up a fully functional ATSP and assisting UK manufacturers in adopting materials from circular sources.
The ACT UK programme, launched in 2023 by the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), aims to transform non-rewearable textiles (NRT) into quality feedstock suitable for fibre-to-fibre recycling processes.
The report underscores the urgent need to address the 744,000 tonnes (t) of post-consumer textile waste generated in the UK annually by converting it into a valuable resource.
Over the last two years, the consortium has conducted end-to-end trials to test the viability of using 100% post-consumer material in new fibre, yarn, and garment production.
These trials have not only proven the potential of UK-sourced recycled fibres but also highlighted technical and commercial obstacles when integrating these fibres into existing manufacturing systems.
ACT UK, along with its consortium partners, calls for a joint approach to establish the necessary infrastructure, secure financial backing, and develop supportive policies that would enable the transformation of textile waste into a useful asset for the nation.
UKFT CEO Adam Mansell said: “The aim of the project has always been clear: to lay the groundwork for a facility that turns waste into opportunity, and to support the UK market in moving towards circularity. What was really encouraging about the ACT UK project was how it brought together the entire textile supply chain – from major retailers to local manufacturers, technology specialists to recyclers – to tackle a global challenge with shared purpose.”
A report developed by Oxford Economics and published by UKFT last month assessed the societal and financial impacts of creating three automatic textile sorting plants (ATSPs) and a chemical recycling facility within the UK.
This initiative is said to offer significant economic opportunities and advancements in sustainability for the country's textile industry.
