SATCoL scoops top sustainable fashion award

SATCoL, which is responsible for The Salvation Army’s clothing banks and many of its charity shops, has won a coveted fashion industry award for its commitment to textile sustainability and second-hand clothing. 

As the largest charity-owned textiles collector in the UK, each year SATCoL puts more than 250 million items to good use, including over 65,000 tonnes of textiles, which it diverts away from landfill and disposal each year. 

The 'Best Social Enterprise or Charity Initiative Award' for sustainable practices that benefit the wider community was awarded by Drapers, the leading fashion industry publication. The independent panel of judges described the work of SATCoL as ‘phenomenal’ and ‘the most innovative in terms of getting value out of everything’.

Charlene Bent, Marketing Manager for the Clothing Collections Division at SATCoL said, “We are delighted to receive such a coveted award. Our 9,000 clothing banks and over 240 charity shops provide convenient ways for members of the public to support our charity, and also engage in sustainable textile reuse and recycling. Awards like this recognise our efforts to support our mission in caring for creation, and our new innovations and services to keep driving forward change. It is an honour to be recognised for our commitments to both positive social and environmental impact.”
 

Innovative methods used by SATCoL  include the Fibersort system that enables accurate sorting and grading of non-wearable clothing and textiles by fibre type, blend and colour for recycling back into the textiles supply chain.

Gabriele Dirvanauskas, Drapers acting editor, said: “Fashion businesses are embracing their responsibilities and innovating across all areas of their operations in order to reduce the industry’s environmental and social impact. Drapers is proud to shine a spotlight on the positive progress that is being made among industry peers as we continue to collaborate for positive change.”