New Look, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Oxfam have partnered to launch a new project to build circular textile value chains from second-hand clothing.
The Circuit is a new partnership to build new circular textile value chains and convert UK-generated post-consumer textiles into future circular raw materials.
The project aims to create new pathways that allow non-reusable end-of-use textiles to be recovered, sorted and pre-processed into input materials for the existing and emerging fibre-to-fibre recycling industry.
Lynda Petherick, Chief Executive Officer at New Look, commented: “Building a more circular fashion industry requires collaboration right across the value chain.”
“The Circuit gives retailers an opportunity to play an active role in developing the systems that could turn non-reusable textiles already in circulation into the raw materials of the future.”
The first phase of the initiative, beginning in January 2027, will focus on testing and developing the operational frameworks needed to support future scale-up.
Circle-8, the development company behind The Circuit, is developing the infrastructure and commercial frameworks to connect post-consumer textile recovery with future circular material supply.
This includes the development of automated textile sorting and pre-processing facilities, which create feedstock for existing and emerging textile recyclers.
Commenting on the initiative, Cyndi Rhoades, CEO and Co-Founder of Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems, said: The retailers who help build circular textile value chains today will be best positioned to influence and benefit from them tomorrow.”
“No one organisation can create a circular textile value chain alone, and we look forward to welcoming others to The Circuit.”
The first phase brings together retailers and partners at Oxfam’s site in Batley, Yorkshire. As part of The Circuit, the charity will separate the reusable and non-reusable textiles and operate the automated textile sorting equipment.