MYGroup has partnered with the University of Leeds on a new initiative to address the increasing volume of high-visibility personal protective equipment (PPE) waste in the UK. The partnership, backed by Innovate UK through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), aims to establish a scalable fibre-to-fibre recycling process that can convert decommissioned PPE into new raw materials for textile production.
Currently, less than 1% of garments globally are recycled back into new textiles, and an estimated 90% of used PPE, uniforms, and workwear end up in landfills. This project aims to demonstrate the commercial and technical feasibility of producing new yarns and threads from end-of-life PPE, thereby supporting a closed-loop system for the sector.
MYGroup, a specialist in waste management and recycling based in Yorkshire, already processes five tonnes of end-of-life PPE annually and collaborates with several manufacturers and retailers. Through this collaboration, it hopes to help its clients meet growing extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations and move towards more sustainable supply chains.
The University of Leeds, home to the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITaC), will contribute research expertise to accelerate development and industrial application of the recycling method. The project is also expected to stimulate innovation and green manufacturing in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
