What happens to textiles and shoes?

Did you know?

Most of the textiles and shoes collected at recycling centres are sold on to be reused.

Where your textiles go

The textiles and shoes contained in the recycling banks are sent to a sorting facility.

The recycling process

• upon arrival, clothes are classified into three groups: reuse, rags and fibre
• this process is generally done by hand and over 99% of the material is reused or recycled

More than 90% is exported to over 30 countries around the world. Sales within the UK, represents 10% of Wilcox’s total production.

Textiles that can't be recycled

Many of the items not fit for purpose as reusable clothing become industrial wiping products, flock rags or mixed felt material.