SATCoL recognised for B2B innovation at 2024 Marie Claire Sustainability Awards

Salvation Army Trading Company Limited (SATCoL) has received a high commendation for business-to-business (B2B) service or innovation at the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2024, recognizing its advances in textile recycling innovation.

The awards, announced on 4 September, celebrate fashion, home, and lifestyle brands over a range of categories including fabric innovation, activewear, and eco-friendly decorating brand. SATCoL's commendation highlights the growing importance of textile recycling in the fashion industry's sustainability efforts.

Kirk Bradley, Head of Corporate Partnerships at SATCoL, welcomed the award: "We're delighted to be recognised for our work in the industry. In addition to our commitment to reduce waste and extend the useful life of textiles, the profits we make help to raise vital funds for charity. We would like to congratulate all the winners of the 2024 awards and all the Highly Commended brands and a huge thank you to the judges and the Marie Claire UK Team."

Fibersort innovation

SATCoL was commended for its investment in new technology that enhances its existing nationwide textile reuse and recycling schemes. The Fibersort system, a key textile recycling innovation, enables the accurate sorting and grading of non-wearable clothing and textiles by fibre type, blend, and colour so that the clothes can be recycled back into the textiles supply chain.

Each year, SATCoL diverts over 250 million items, including more than 65,000 tonnes of textiles, demonstrating the significant impact of their recycling efforts.

The Fibersort technology uses an infra-red camera and air jets to separate items from a conveyor belt into bins based on fibre composition. It can also identify the fibre content percentage of each item and sort blended materials, such as polycotton and wool mixes, separately. This advanced sorting capability is crucial for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of textile recycling processes.

Expanding Textile Recycling Capabilities

In June 2023, SATCoL launched additional textile recycling innovation with Project Re:claim, in partnership with Project Plan B, to recycle polyester textiles into raw materials. The initiative is part of SATCoL's mission to create the UK's first fibre farm and to scale up textile-to-textile recycling of all types of materials.

This ongoing investment in textile recycling technology underscores SATCoL's commitment to advancing circular fashion practices and reducing the environmental impact of textile waste. As the fashion industry continues to grapple with sustainability challenges, innovations like Fibersort and Project Re:claim play a crucial role in closing the loop on textile waste and promoting a more sustainable fashion ecosystem.

Sustainable Fashion Week

The Salvation Army, has also announced a collaboration with celebrity fashion stylist Rebekah Roy for Sustainable Fashion Week.  Rebekah will join as special guest for an exclusive online second-hand fashion event and share expert tips on styling second-hand fashion.  The webinar will be held on Tuesday 24th September at 8pm (BST). The partnership presents an opportunity to promote second-hand shopping and create lasting change. 

As a strong advocate for sustainability, Rebekah has also pioneered the UK’s first vegan fashion show and regularly curates the Source Fashion show at London Olympia, reflecting her commitment to a sustainable lifestyle and her vision for a fashion industry that respects our planet.

To register for the event on Tuesday 24th September at 8pm (BST), sign up here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TiF5qX3oRjyemRxv_HyIUQ#/registration