Why Textile Waste is WA’s Hidden Environmental Threat

For the Lazies - A 30-Second Summary

Textile waste in Western Australia is a growing but overlooked issue. Each year, thousands of tonnes of unwanted clothing end up in landfills, where they release harmful gases and contribute to soil and water pollution. With no large-scale textile recycling infrastructure yet in place, the pressure on our environment continues to mount. SevenC’s Recycling, launching in 2025, offers WA a chance to reverse this trend by turning textile waste into valuable resources. Greater awareness, stronger systems and local engagement are all needed now.

WA’s Textile Waste Problem is Bigger Than You Think

Western Australia generates massive amounts of textile waste every year. According to The Australia Institute, over 300,000 tonnes of clothing are either sent to landfill or exported from Australia annually. WA’s share of this total continues to rise, driven by population growth and the prevalence of fast fashion trends in retail habits.

Most of this waste is synthetic. It includes polyester, nylon and blended fibres that take centuries to break down. As these materials decompose, they release greenhouse gases and microplastics into the environment. This affects not only local ecosystems but also air and water quality across WA.

Why Textiles Are Treated Like General Waste

One of the significant reasons textiles end up in landfills is that most household waste systems in WA do not accommodate clothing. Without convenient or straightforward alternatives, residents throw garments in the bin alongside food scraps and packaging. This creates a downstream problem that affects landfill space, emissions and resource recovery rates.

Furthermore, textile recycling is still misunderstood. Many people do not realise that even damaged or stained fabrics can be repurposed or mechanically recycled into new products. The lack of awareness keeps valuable materials trapped in the waste stream.

Landfill Impacts Are Greater Than They Seem

Once textile waste hits a landfill, the environmental impact intensifies. As textiles break down, they emit methane, a gas with a global warming potential more than 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. They also release dyes, chemical finishes and plastic particles into the surrounding soil and water tables.

These effects are magnified in remote and regional landfill sites where there is less oversight and lower capacity to manage environmental runoff. This places extra pressure on ecosystems and water systems that are already under strain.

Dozer pushing up rubbish at a landfill. Image Source: WA Today

How SevenC’s Recycling Will Help

The upcoming launch of SevenC’s Recycling in 2026 presents a powerful solution. With advanced mechanical recycling technology, SevenC’s will be able to process thousands of tonnes of post-consumer textiles per year, converting them into reusable fibre materials for industry and manufacturing.

This facility will provide an outlet for commercial and household waste, thereby reducing dependence on landfills and minimising environmental risks. By working with businesses, councils and communities, SevenC’s aims to reshape WA’s approach to textile waste from disposal to recovery.

Community Engagement Is Key to Change

To effectively reduce textile waste, every household in WA needs to participate. This includes separating textiles from general waste, utilising clothing donation bins, and identifying local drop-off points. Education campaigns, school programs and government incentives will play a vital role in shifting habits at the grassroots level.

SevenC’s Recycling will complement these efforts by accepting sorted textile waste and ensuring it is processed responsibly. However, success depends on developing the proper habits at home and in local businesses.

The Way Forward

Textile waste is not just an environmental problem. It is also a lost opportunity to reclaim materials, support local jobs and reduce climate impacts. With facilities like SevenC’s on the horizon and rising public awareness, WA is well-positioned to lead in textile sustainability.

Now is the time to act. Whether you are a household, a retailer or a local council, every piece of fabric recycled is a win for WA’s environment. Get involved and help turn textile waste into a sustainable resource.

Read More:

The Link Between Recycling and Climate Change: What You Need to Know