Unlocking the potential of textile waste: ACT UK final report
14/08/2025
Discover a pathway to fibre-to-fibre textile recycling at scale in the UK
A major new report published today 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 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,”
said UKFT CEO Adam Mansell
“This report shows what is possible when industry works together, and it sets out a clear route forward.”
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.
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