ACT UK
Discover a pathway to fibre-to-fibre textile recycling at scale in the UK
A major new report published by the ACT UK consortium sets out a practical blueprint for establishing the UK’s first Advanced Textile Sorting and Pre-processing (ATSP) facility, designed to accelerate the transition to textile circularity.
The Autosort for Circular Textiles Demonstrator (ACT UK) programme was created to define how a national infrastructure could turn non-rewearable textiles (NRT) into high-quality feedstock for fibre-to-fibre recyclers. Its core aim is to prepare the UK market for a circular system that keeps textile resources in use and out of landfill.
The two-year initiative brought together leading retailers, manufacturers, recyclers, charities and academic institutions, with support from Innovate UK, to explore the technical, economic and social challenges of scaling textile-to-textile recycling in the UK.
With 744,000 tonnes of post-consumer textile waste discarded in the UK each year, the report highlights the urgent need – and significant opportunity – to transform this material into a valuable resource. The report presents the technical, economic and environmental case for developing a scalable ATSP facility. It includes engineering specifications, site design, and details of advanced sorting technology now secured for delivery and operation by 2026.
Alongside this, the programme brought together retailers, manufacturers, recyclers, charities and academic partners to pilot end-to-end trials – from sorting waste textiles to producing fibre, yarn and garments from 100% post-consumer material. These trials confirmed the potential of UK-sourced feedstock while also identifying technical and commercial challenges in using recycled fibres within existing manufacturing systems.
The project also examined how automation can improve sorting accuracy, and how greater public engagement could support a shift towards more circular consumer behaviour.
The report also outlines the economic risks of inaction, alongside the environmental and industrial benefits of building a circular system. It calls for co-ordinated action from government, industry and consumers to take forward the next phase: establishing a fully operational ATSP and supporting UK manufacturing to integrate circular materials.
ACT UK and the consortium are calling on all stakeholders to engage with the report’s recommendations and work collaboratively to build the infrastructure, investment and policy support needed to turn textile waste into a national resource.
Unlocking the potential of textile waste: ACT UK final report
The project has now come to an end. UKFT and the ACT UK consortium has now published a major report which sets out a practical blueprint for establishing the UK’s first Advanced Textile Sorting and Pre-processing (ATSP) facility, designed to accelerate the transition to textile circularity.
Thank you to the key project partners, which include Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems, the project partners are IBM, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Pangaia, New Look, Reskinned, Salvation Army, Oxfam, Textile Recycling International, Shred Station, Worn Again Technologies, English Fine Cottons, Alex Begg, Camira, Manufacturing Technology Centre, University of Leeds, University of Huddersfield, Textile Recycling Association and WRAP
Project Areas
ACT UK focused on three key project areas: post-consumer textiles collection and logistics, state-of-the-art technology development, and the circular textiles ecosystem.
Textile Collections and Logistics
Optimising post-consumer textile collection and pre-sort to inform the future landscape of textile collection
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Industry Engagements and Events
Since the project’s inception in September 2023, the consortium has actively participated in pivotal events centered around textile recycling innovation. During these engagements, we had the pleasure of connecting with many of the players within the industry. We have just started, stay tuned for more.
Strategic Board
- Adam Mansell – CEO, UKFT (Project Lead)
- Alan Wheeler – CEO, Textile Recycling Association
- Anthony Croall – Group Commercial Director, Camira
- Beatrice Elliott – Retail & Sustainability – Senior Managing Consultant, IBM Consulting UK
- Cristina Sabaiduc – Senior Sector Specialist– Sustainable Textiles, WRAP
- Joe Little – Head of Technical: Raw Materials & Colour, Packaging and Sustainability, Tesco
- Katharine Beacham – Head of Materials and Sustainability, M&S
- Kristian Carter – Commercial Director, Shred Station
- Majonne Frost – Head of Environment and Sustainability, Salvation Army Trading Company Limited
- Parik Goswami – Professor of Technical Textiles, University of Huddersfield
- Peter Carty – Operations Director – Alex Begg and Company
- Peter Page – Group Head of Recycling – Textile Recycling International
- Ross Barry – Co-Founder, Reskinned
- Shan Dulanty – Sector Chief Engineer, MTC
- Stephen Russell – Professor of Textile Materials & Technology, University of Leeds
- Sue Fairley – Head of Sustainability, New Look
- Toby Moss – Director of Business Development, Worn Again Technologies
Get Involved
If you are a customer looking to donate clothing, including items that are non-rewearable, visit www.acttakeback.org
If you are a brand, retailer, recycler of textile/garment manufacturer interested in being part of the ACT UK journey, email sustainability@ukft.org
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