Seamless has released two new publications that highlight the critical role of next markets for recycled clothing textiles in Australia's transition to a circular clothing economy.
Next Markets for Unwearable Clothing Textiles, developed by Rawtec and commissioned by Seamless, provides an assessment of next markets for unwearable clothing textiles in Australia.
Informed by this research, the Seamless position paper, Unlocking Next Markets for Recycled Clothing Textiles, outlines the actions needed to accelerate demand for recycled textile products, stimulate investment in domestic recycling infrastructure and keep valuable materials in circulation.
Together, the two publications provide the strongest evidence base to date on the opportunities, challenges and actions required to develop Australia's next markets for recycled clothing textiles.
Why next markets matter
Creating strong and sustainable next markets for recycled clothing textiles is essential for Australia’s circular clothing economy.
The Rawtec report provides the first systemic assessment of next markets for unwearable clothing textiles in Australia. It identifies where next markets already exist, where they are emerging, and the conditions needed to make them commercially viable at scale.
The research found that Australia currently has the capacity to recycle approximately 22,000 tonnes of unwearable clothing each year and recover energy from a further 64,000 tonnes. Together, this represents around 86,000 tonnes of annual processing capacity that could significantly reduce the volume of clothing sent to landfill.
The report also highlights that next markets for recycled textiles remain underdeveloped, with recyclers identifying material complexity, recycling costs and weak demand signals as major barriers to investment.
Seamless position
In response to these findings, Seamless has outlined a position to help unlock next markets for recycled clothing textiles.
1. Establishing next market demand is fundamental: Strong market demand is essential to attract investment in recycling infrastructure and support the development of a national post-consumer clothing system.
2. Long term planning is needed for market development: Australia must support today's viable recycling opportunities while creating the conditions for fibre-to-fibre recycling technologies to become commercially viable in the future.
3. Clothing producers have a role in driving next market demand: Clothing producers have a role to play in developing next markets through product design, research and development, recycled content adoption and long-term offtake agreements that provide certainty for recyclers.
4. Government procurement can grow next markets: Government procurement policies can create reliable demand for recycled textile products by specifying recycled content in uniforms, buildings, fit-outs and infrastructure projects.
The position paper also outlines practical next steps to accelerate market development, including collaborative industry-funded research and development, the establishment of a market development working group and the creation of an Innovation Advisory Board to guide future investment.
Unlocking the value of recycled textiles
Australia has a significant opportunity to keep clothing textiles in circulation and out of landfill. Realising this opportunity will require coordinated action from industry, government and investors to strengthen demand, support innovation and create the conditions for next market growth.
The release of Unlocking Next Markets for Recycled Clothing Textiles and Next Markets for Unwearable Clothing Textiles marks an important step in building the evidence needed to accelerate Australia's transition to a circular clothing economy.
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