1. Remember – the size COUNTS
It is quite normal to quote prices for charity rags per bag.
The normal size of bags for charity rags is 8kg. However,
some collectors supply larger bags and this can make a big
difference to the value you actually get for your clothes.
Just look at the examples:
8 g at £2.00 per bag = £250.00 per tonne
k
10 g at £2.00 per bag = £200.00 per tonne
k
12 g at £2.00 per bag = £166.67 per tonne
k
If you get £2.00 for an 8kg bag you are getting the
same value as another collector that is offering
£3.00 for a 12kg bag.
The TRA member for your area is:
Are y
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Is your textile recycling merchant licensed? ty rag
All new members of the TRA have to provide evidence that they are appropriately licensed to
s?
handle waste. A number of non TRA members do not hold the correct licence(s).
Do you want to check whether a non TRA member is registered as holding an appropriate
licence to transport your charity rag waste?
We can run a check for you. If you would like to use this service please call the TRA on
0870 042 8276 or e-mail info@textile-recycling.org.uk.
Further information Do you want to ensure
your collector is licensed?
Contact the Textile Recycling Association PO Box 965 MAIDSTONE ME17 3WD
t: 0870 042 8276 f: 0845 600 8276 e: info@textile-recycling.org.uk
w: www.textile-recycling.org.uk
This leaflet is for guidance only and should not be used for definitive legal advice. It is
recommended that you seek independent legal advice on how to comply with the law.
To find out more read on.

2. From rags to riches.
With the prices for charity rags so unpredictable, are you concerned that you are not
getting good value for your goods?
Are you worried about what will happen if prices fall?
What does this mean in practice? able to provide you with a copy of their waste
Will you continue to get regular collections from your existing merchant? The Duty of Care is a law that is detailed in
carriers license. You should ask for this.
section 34 of the Environmental Protection
Did you know that your charity rags are classed as waste and therefore you have a How can you help to ensure
Act (1990). If a charity shop passes its charity
legal duty to ensure that they only go to businesses that have the legal authority to rag waste to a textile recycling merchant, continuity of service?
handle your waste? then the charity must be sure that the Some textile collectors offer high prices for
merchant is legally authorised to take waste charity rags when demand for the goods
If you want to find out more, read on to find out how you can mitigate your issues. for recycling, reclamation or disposal. Failure is high but drop their suppliers as soon as
to comply with the Duty of Care may result in there is a change in the market. If your shop
a conviction, where the penalty could be an becomes a victim of this, it could leave you
Who are we? Our members are also expected to review their
unlimited fine.
prices regularly, thereby ensuring that suppliers with a big problem. Piles of clothing and no
The Textile Recycling Association (TRA) is the If you ensure that your textile recycling income for the goods.
such as charities and local authorities receive
national trade association for collectors and merchant has a Waste Carrier’s License, Waste TRA members are expected to operate a
advantageous prices for their goods.
graders of second hand clothing, shoes and Management License or is registered as quality service with loyalty between them
household textiles. Is it rubbish? exempt from a Waste Management License, and the charity shops they serve playing a key
then you should be able to demonstrate that role. So if the market for second hand clothes
How to get competitive prices Both the Environment Agency for England you have taken reasonable steps to ensure drops, TRA members should endeavour to
All TRA members agree to work to a set of and Wales and the Scottish Environment that your merchant can legally take your continue collections for suppliers who have
rules and conditions, which conform to good Protection Agency (the competent authorities) charity rags. remained loyal to them.
working practices and comply with all current consider charity shop rags to be waste.
For further details on the Duty of Care visit
legislation within the textile reclamation This means that charity shops have to make www.environment-agency.gov.uk (England
industry. This includes paying competitive sure that their collector has the legal authority and Wales) or www.sepa.org.uk (Scotland).
rates for your charity rag clothing and shoes. to take such goods.
What can you do?
Use a TRA Member. All new members of
the TRA have to provide evidence that they
are appropriately licensed to collect waste
and that they hold compulsory employers
liability insurance. For a list of members visit
www.textile-recycling.org.uk/memlist.htm.
As producers of waste, charity shops are
recommended to ask their textile recycling
merchant for evidence of their waste carriers or
waste management license (or an exemption).
A collector who is a TRA member, should be