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Melbourne-based textile recovery company UPPAREL has opened a new facility capable of processing more than 10,000 tonnes of material a year, making it one of Australia’s highest-capacity recycling operations.
Founded by Michael and Tina Elias, UPPAREL is a textile recovery company that has diverted and recycled more than 50 million items, diverting them from landfill and reducing reliance on virgin materials – known as raw resources extracted from nature - across industries.
With a footprint of 10,500 sqm, the new facility is located in the southeastern suburb of Cranbourne West - 40km from Melbourne’s CBD - and has installed a system that can transform one item into reusable fibre within 3 minutes.
Developed by UPPAREL, the custom-built 30m long system can blend fibres with polyester content ranging from under 10 per cent to more than 70 per cent without adjustment, resulting in a 90 per cent garment and textile recovery rate.
The system is also utilising an Australian metal and hardware remover that eliminates zippers, buttons and any other contaminants.
“We are honoured to be Australia’s leading onshore mechanical textile recycling company with the capacity to manage all stages of textile recovery of the recovery to sustainable manufacturing underpinned by the most advanced management system monitoring every step of the way,” UPPAREL co-founder and CEO Michael Elias said.
“Our team has created an engineering marvel of textile transformation, and we couldn’t be prouder of this achievement.”
The unwanted textiles will be transformed into UPtex – a versatile recycled material used as a sustainable alternative for goods ranging from construction material to signage and packaging.
Formerly known as Manrags, the company initially started out selling men’s socks by subscription, but changed the business name in 2020 after learning more about the effects of textile waste.
Upparel currently offers all clothing and shoes to be collected from anywhere in Australia and charges $35 for the collection of clothing.
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