Source-separated collections 'needed for wool knitwear'

28/05/2010

Wool knitwear recycling volumes could increase if source-separated collections are introduced, it has been suggested.

In order to ensure textile collections are as effective as possible, separating the sources is the "only viable way forward", Textile Recycling Association president Gerald Cemmell told letsrecycle.com.

His comments came after an Oakdene Hollins report - published as part of the Sustainable Clothing Roadmap by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - found there are issues surrounding contamination of wool knitwear and other clothes sent for recycling.

Within the government's Waste Framework Directive, textiles such as wool knitwear are identified as a priority for recycling and therefore, no longer classed as a waste product.

Defra's Sustainable Clothing Roadmap is a voluntary initiative for the clothing industry and aims to ensure best practice within the sector is followed to improve the ethical and environmental impact of clothing.

It involves more than 300 companies along the clothing supply chain.

Posted by Charlotte Jackson