Discarded clothes, bedding and leather offcuts are being transformed into new materials by recycling businesses in Peterborough and Kettering, offering a practical route away from landfill and virgin resources.
The UK throws away around 711,000 tonnes of textiles each year. At Project Re:Claim in Kettering, polyester items that cannot be reused – including duvets, dressing gowns and event banners – are shredded and melted into recycled polyester pellets.
The partnership between The Salvation Army’s trading arm and Plan B Circular says its facility is Europe’s first commercial-scale polyester textile-to-textile recycling plant. It can process 500kg of fabric an hour, although it currently only accepts items made entirely from polyester.
From waste leather to aircraft seats
In Peterborough, Gen Phoenix recycles leather waste into a new fabric using fibres, recycled polyester and water jets. The material has been used by brands including Dr Martens, Nike and Coach, as well as in transport seating.
The company says it has kept more than 18,000 tonnes of material out of landfill. Its lighter alternative to traditional leather is also used by Jet2, including on aircraft, where lower weight can help reduce fuel use.
Both businesses say wider adoption depends on manufacturers choosing recycled materials and designing products that are easier to recycle. EU rules are already pushing brands towards more sustainable and recyclable products, while UK officials say work is under way to cut textile waste.
Why it matters for Britain
The projects support specialist manufacturing and research jobs in Peterborough and Northamptonshire while creating uses for waste that would otherwise be burned or buried. They also give British-based companies practical technology for supplying lower-carbon materials to fashion and transport businesses.
