WHT, together with Textile Recyclers Australia (TRA), is working to recycle old and worn-out PPE. TRA partners with major organizations across Australia to prevent used and damaged textiles from ending up in landfills.

The project recently reached an important milestone with the delivery of its first PPE collection, weighing 50 kg. It is estimated that this initiative saves approximately 2 kg of CO₂ for every 1 kg of PPE recycled, representing a significant positive impact on the environment. The program will continue throughout the life of the project, ensuring that PPE is managed responsibly and kept out of landfills.

In 2023, TRA successfully diverted 350,000 kg of discarded or unused textiles from landfills, reaching a total of one million kilograms since operations began in 2014. Globally, textile waste is the second-largest pollutant, driven largely by the production of low-quality fast fashion garments.

TRA has developed two main pathways to reuse the clothing it collects:

• Unused textiles are rebranded and sold as new garments or textile products.

• Post-consumer items are sorted, processed, and spun into new yarn, which is reused in other items depending on its quality, type, and size.

Additionally, TRA has innovated by incorporating fibers into an eco-resistant polymer, which is then molded to create artistic home décor pieces.

We are excited about the potential of our partnership with TRA and the positive impact we can continue to achieve as our collaboration progresses.