Salvos facility opens to reduce textile waste

Salvos Stores, in partnership with the Queensland Government, has opened its Textile Recovery Facility in Brisbane.

The facility provides an automatic textile sorting and decommissioning service, allowing Salvos Stores to unlock recyclable textile feedstock, and creating opportunities to turn today’s waste into tomorrow’s products.

The facility will begin to pilot and scale textile recovery solutions in Brisbane and plans to process up to 5000 tonnes of textiles per year, enabling the materials to stay in circulation and generating additional revenue to fund the frontline work of The Salvation Army across the country.

“This achievement is a proud moment for Salvos Stores and reflects our deep commitment to innovation and caring for the planet we all share,” said Head of Salvos Stores Nic Baldwin. “It’s about taking real, practical steps to reduce textile waste and keep more out of landfill, while continuing to find new ways to generate vital funding for the life-changing programs of The Salvation Army. Every step forward helps us create lasting impact for both people and the environment.”

In Australia, over 200,000 tonnes of clothing ends up in landfill each year*, highlighting the need for solutions that support the environment.

Meriel Chamberlin, Business Development Manager for Salvos Stores, said, “For over 140 years, Salvos Stores have turned second-hand goods into hope through our stores. Each year, our community of Salvos Stores shoppers give a new home to millions of donated items, keeping them in circulation. Our Textile Recovery Facility is our new way to keep even more textiles in circulation and out of landfill, turning cutting-edge innovation into real solutions.”

The Queensland Government has invested $4.97 million in the project, supporting Salvos Stores to establish the circular economy textile hub in Brisbane.

“The Crisafulli government has supported the delivery of this Australian-first facility that will turn today’s waste into tomorrow’s products,” said Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell. “This facility will reduce the amount of textile waste going to landfill, but it will also unlock new economic opportunities and support Queensland’s transition to a sustainable economy.

“We recognise the critical need for waste infrastructure in Queensland, and we are taking action to deliver it through this new nation-leading facility.”

Through the over 400 Salvos Stores across Australia, 52 million items were kept in circulation last year**, and this facility will only further this effort to alleviate the environmental impact of textiles, as well as providing a launching pad to unlock more innovation across the sector into the future.

_{* https://ausfashioncouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AFC-NCPSS-Data-Report.pdf
**https://www.salvosstores.com.au}

Image credit: iStock.com/vuk8691