Producer responsibility in recycling textiles being considered

Defra has disclosed that it is considering introducing producer responsibility for the recycling and reusing of textile products in the United Kingdom.

This was revealed by Dorothy Maxwell during a stakeholder meeting organised to discuss ways of raising the sustainability of the textiles sector in London. Among the items that were up for discussion during the meeting was the possibility of introducing a producer responsibility scheme and if so whether the scheme would be on a voluntary basis or effected through legislation.

Recently a decline in the rate of recycling for textiles has been observed with some blaming it on the lack of profitability of reuse of textiles. As one delegate pointed one of the problems associated with textile reuse was the risk of contamination.

Alan Wheeler, secretary of the Textile Recycling Association, who also chaired the meeting in his closing remarks said that the stakeholder meeting had agreed that producer responsibility be given more consideration. The secretary of the Textile Recycling Association also added that the meeting had unanimously agreed that there was a need to raise the number of textile banks and other opportunities for textile recycling.

Dorothy Maxwell disclosed that Defra had set aside sixty thousand pounds to finance a feasibility study on textile recycling. She explained that the survey would look into the collection and sorting infrastructure of textiles in the United Kingdom, as well as reuse channels and opportunities. She also added that there was a need in the United Kingdom for a policy on recycling of textiles.