The Salvation Army’s Salvos Stores, which has a store in Goodna, is set to establish a pioneering textile recycling facility in Carole Park, with the aid of a substantial $4.97 million grant from the Queensland Government.
This initiative marks a significant step towards creating a circular economy hub for textiles in South East Queensland.
The forthcoming facility will be the first of its kind in Australia, equipped with cutting-edge technology to sort donated textiles by material type and remove components such as buttons and zippers, facilitating further recycling processes.
This innovation is modelled after a similar plant operational in Amsterdam.
Australia is recognised as one of the largest consumers of textiles globally, with an average of 27 kilograms of clothing and textiles purchased per person annually.
A significant portion of discarded clothing ends up in landfills, leading to pollution and resource loss.
Recent research estimates that over 300,000 tonnes of clothing are either sent to landfill or exported from Australia every year.
The project has garnered support from various sectors, including local councils, Charitable Recycling Australia, and major companies such as Kmart Group, Samsara Eco, and Full Circle Fibres.
These organisations aim to develop local supply chains and markets for recycled textiles.
Member for Jordan Charis Mullen, praised the initiative.
“The Salvos are on a winner with their plans to develop and operate a cutting-edge textile recycling plant in Carole Park, which will help divert textiles from landfill,” she said.
“This new Australian-first textile recycling facility will help meet the needs of recyclers and boost the range and the volume of recycled goods and products in Queensland.”
Salvos Stores National Director Matt Davis, underscored the broader impact of the project.
“The Salvos believe the reuse of clothing and material recycling promotes ethical consumption of textiles and supports a circular economy,” he said.
“By embracing clothing reuse and recycling, we reduce environmental harm and foster a culture of sustainability and conscious consumption that has social and environmental benefits for present and future generations.”
