FAQ: The Impact of Textile Recycling on WA’s Environment

SevenC's Admin
May 15
2 min read

For the Lazies - A 30-Second Summary

Textile recycling is crucial for reducing WA’s environmental footprint. It helps divert waste from landfills, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves water and energy used in textile production. This FAQ addresses key community concerns about how textile recycling works, its benefits for WA, and what residents can do to contribute to a cleaner, greener future.

Why is Textile Recycling Important for WA?

WA generates thousands of tonnes of textile waste annually, most of which ends up in landfill. As textiles decompose, they can release greenhouse gases like methane and leach harmful chemicals into the soil and water.

Recycling textiles reduces these harmful impacts, lowers the demand for virgin materials, and supports WA’s goal of creating a circular economy (Waste Authority WA).

How Does Textile Recycling Benefit the Environment?

Recycling textiles offers several environmental benefits, including:

Diverting Waste: Fewer textiles in landfills mean less pollution and lower emissions.
Conserving Resources: Recycling reduces the need for water, energy, and raw materials like cotton and polyester.
Lowering Carbon Footprint: Recycled textiles require significantly less energy than producing new ones.

What Happens to Textiles That Are Recycled?

Recycled textiles can be processed into reusable materials such as fibres for new clothing, insulation, or industrial products. This keeps valuable resources in circulation and reduces waste.

What Are the Challenges of Textile Recycling?

One of the biggest challenges is the presence of blended fabrics, which are harder to separate and recycle. Additionally, contamination (e.g., dirty or wet items) can make textiles unsuitable for recycling.

To maximise recycling success, it’s important to only recycle clean and dry textiles.

How Can WA Residents Get Involved?

Residents can contribute by:

Donating wearable clothing to charity or second-hand stores.
Using recycling drop-off points for damaged or unusable textiles.
Supporting brands that prioritise sustainability and recycled materials.

Once SevenC’s Recycling facility launches in 2025, residents will have even more opportunities to recycle textiles responsibly.

Textile recycling is a simple yet impactful way to protect WA’s environment. Start by recycling your unwanted textiles and encouraging others to do the same. Together, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and create a cleaner, greener Western Australia.