UK residents put nearly half of all used textiles in the trash bin, with each person throwing away an average of 35 textile items per year, according to new research from climate action NGO Waste and Resources Action Programme, or WRAP

April 30, 2024 (press release) –

New WRAP research shows people are putting almost half (49%) of all used textiles in the rubbish bin.

On average, each person in the UK throws a shocking 35 items of unwanted textiles straight into general waste every year.

Meanwhile, the textiles that do get donated responsibly have plummeted in price due to saturation of low-quality fast fashion on the market, resulting in less income for reuse and recycling sectors.

WRAP urges key partners across brands, retailers, investors and governments to support the UK’s textiles reuse and recycling sector through grants, investment and legislation so our unloved clothes can catalyse a more circular fashion ecosystem.

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