Keeping textiles out of landfill | Textile Recyclers Australia

Our Mission

Keeping textiles out of landfill, whilst investing in circular solutions

Tonne by tonne, the mission is simple but monumental –
Keep textiles out of landfill, waterways, bodies of water and burn-pits, while working with partners to find circular solutions for textile waste.

Unfortunately, the textile industry is still the second largest polluting sector in the world. However, many who work in the industry, the sector and related fields, are collaborating in research, development, innovation and sustainability, to remove this mantle from the industry and offer pathways for textile waste to become a resource.

By recycling textile waste we are able to reduce the amount of water and energy used in producing virgin products. The use of recycled fibres is the key to change.

Our Story

A Textile Engineer and a Fashion Executive, walk into a bar……. actually, it was a cafe! Over a cup of coffee, they wondered about the number of textiles that were being sent to the tip, surely there had to be another option?

After several, perhaps countless coffees, Maureen Taylor and Ben Kaminsky concluded that if there wasn’t a company out there who was recycling textiles, then they were going to build one.

And so, Textile Recyclers Australia, (TRA) was formed.

Several years and two depots later, with a multitude of fashion, uniform, linen and upholstery clients, TRA has become a known and trusted industry name.

With 60+ collective years of textile, experience, knowledge and know-how, Maureen and Ben have taken the Textile Recyclers Australia Group, from strength to strength.

With services including apparel, uniform and furnishing recycling, research and development, community and local government projects, plant-based packaging and take back services.

Our Founders

Maureen and Ben are the heart of TRA; they are driven by purpose and hard work, always finding ways to make textile waste an asset.

Maureen Taylor

Maureen has always loved the way things work. Her experience as dyehouse technician, textile engineer, buyer and R&D manager gives her a unique set of expert qualities.

What she has gained over the past 30+ years

Insight into textile composition and deconstruction
Knowledge of pigments and dyes
Strong relationships with suppliers and buyers across the supply chain
Being known as a straight shooter who just wants to get the job done!
Maureen is a recognised Partner Investigator with the Australian research Council

Ben Kaminsky

Ben’s love of textiles stems from working in the local family manufacturing facility. Gaining experience from development through to final garment, he then turned his entrepreneurial eye to the business of fashion.

What he has gained over the past 30 +years

Strong long term supplier relationships across Japan, China, India and other Asian countries
Genuine network of textile brand owners across Australia
Long standing relationships with academia and government
And just being known as an all round good guy!

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

Textile Recyclers Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate indigenous history, the diversity of its people and their important ongoing connections to Country.

Our Charities

TRA proudly supports various charities and fundraising activities within the community, providing financial, practical and hands-on assistance.

TRA’s ongoing commitment to community and social charities reflects our company values. We are passionate about the environment and the community, giving back and paying forward.

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Our Partners

Our partners include fashion, uniform and furnishings stakeholders to collaborators in development and innovation. These partners care that textiles have a second life in the forms of recycling and upcycling.