Resources

The 2024 Textiles Market Situation Report updates on the present state of the UK textiles market.

Terminology can inadvertently imply use or value, which can lead to barriers or opportunities in how textiles are considered or handled. A lack of standardisation, clarity and consistency among stakeholders in the textiles sector is an issue that inhibits partnerships, policy development, and can prevent progress towards a circular textiles economy.

WRAP has developed one of the most comprehensive open-source databases mapping over 200 textiles sorters, pre-processors, recyclers, and yarn spinners (who work with recycled fibres), operating within the UK and Europe.

As much as 80% of a textile product’s environmental impact is determined at the design stage. Therefore, the decisions made by design and product development teams have a huge impact on a product’s environmental footprint – from the raw materials used, to how the product is manufactured, the length of time it is kept in use and what happens to it when it is no longer desired or reaches the end of its usable life.

There is a lot to think about, which is why we have created our Circular Design Toolkit - a go-to resource for the fashion and textiles industry.

In September 2022, WRAP commissioned online consumer research into the current attitudes and behaviours of UK citizens in relation to home textiles, including what’s influencing consumers to make a home textiles purchase, through what routes are they buying and disposing of home textile items and what are their in-use habits in relation to those items. 

Off the starting blocks

Through Textiles 2030, the whole system comes together. Our shared mission is to catalyse the fashion and textile industry’s transformation from linear to circular - drawing on the energy, experience, and innovation of all corners of the sector to drive this change forward.

WRAP’s work on textiles is focussed on improving the sustainability of products, and particularly on reducing the environmental impact of the full life cycle of products, from cradle to grave.

In the first six months of its existence, Textiles 2030 has recruited over 92 signatories and affiliates, spanning brands, retailers, re-use and recycling organisations from across the fashion and textiles sector.  Textiles 2030 signatories already represent 62% of all clothing put on the market in the UK.  

WRAP works with governments, businesses and citizens to create a world in which resources are used sustainably. Read our April 2020-21 annual review to learn more about our mission to accelerate the move to a sustainable, resource-efficient economy.

The way we style our homes is becoming increasingly important to us. The market for home décor is accelerating at a fast pace and citizens are keen to keep up with the latest trends. In this webinar, we will be exploring sustainability for home textiles, looking at the key issues and challenges the sector faces.

This session covers:

• The current scene – how the sector has grown in the last five years

• How can alternative business models apply to this sector in the same way we are seeing in the clothing industry?

• How can the sector become circular?

Everything you need to know about getting started in sustainable fashion and textiles - from regulation and measurement, to tried and tested strategies for cutting carbon. 

Our plan for achieving Net Zero.

This report unveils new insights on how resource efficiency and resource sufficiency can cut greenhouse gas emissions. Developed in collaboration with CREDS researchers at the University of Leeds, it offers a clear, practical roadmap which delivers quick wins.