The T R I Group

Helping The T R I Group achieve Zero Waste to Landfill certification and increase recycling rates

The T R I Group is Europe’s largest collector and sorter of used clothing, shoes, and textiles. The Group employs 1,200 people across five UK sites, JMP Wilcox & Company Ltd, CTR Group, Nathan’s Wastesavers Ltd, SWD Premier Clothing and a-tex (all textile solutions), and exports used clothing all over the world – achieving a 70% reuse rate.

With sustainability and circularity being part of its vision and purpose, T R I Group wanted to improve its waste management practices and in 2022 started the process of implementing measures to reduce its impact.

T R I Group wanted recognition for its efforts by obtaining Zero Waste to Landfill certification, realising that third party verification would support its waste management green claims, help them to meet corporate social responsibility targets and demonstrate to stakeholders its commitment to the environment.

Textiles waste

The T R I Group approached our Zero Waste to Landfill Team for help to achieve its Zero Waste to Landfill goal and to obtain third-party verification and certification.

We visited all five T R I Group sites to verify their achievement of Zero Waste to Landfill Certification and to offer tailored recommendations for ongoing improvement at each location.

T R I Group Factory

By implementing some of our recommendations, alongside continuous efforts to enhance processes, T R I Group has achieved significant improvements to waste management practices, demonstrating a clear commitment to sustainability.

Valpak’s Zero Waste to Landfill certification has helped the Group to:

  • Make waste hierarchy improvements: Despite some challenges, such as material quality and contamination, all sites showcased improvements by moving waste up the hierarchy, maximising reuse and recycling.
  • Ensure compliance and efficiency: By implementing some of Valpak’s recommendations T R I Group has ensured compliance with waste management regulations and enhanced its operational efficiency.
  • Reduce costs and generate revenue: Through segregation of recyclable materials and implementing recycling programmes, T R I has generated income streams and reduced its waste management costs.
  • Become a preferred provider: Certification has been the driver for numerous UK wide charities to work with T R I Group to process their textiles.

The T R I Group can now proudly communicate its achievement to stakeholders by displaying Valpak’s Zero Waste to Landfill certification logo on its website and other marketing materials. As it continues this path T R I Group sets a respectable example for sustainable waste management practices in the textile recycling industry.

We found Valpak’s Zero Waste to Landfill certification process to be excellent and thoroughly carried out. Valpak’s auditors were very knowledgeable and helpful and our journey to certification has enabled us to identify areas of improvement and to cast a more thorough eye on our recyclable material. Zero Waste to Landfill certification showcases our commitment to sending no textiles to landfill helping us to meet our ESG goals.

Peter Page, Group Recycling & ESG Director