At Waverley Mills, we believe every thread should tell a story—one of sustainability, innovation, and meaningful collaboration. Our latest partnership with Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) embodies this ethos, resulting in the creation of the Circularity Throw. This beautiful, variegated throw is crafted from recycled CFA (Country Fire Authority) uniform cotton waste, blended with Australian merino wool—an achievement in circular economy design and textile craftsmanship.
The Story Behind the Circularity Throw
The Circularity Throw emerged from Waverley Mills' recommitment to textile recycling at the end of 2023. We saw an opportunity to tackle one of the textile industry's biggest challenges: uniform waste. When large organisations retire or change uniforms, these textiles often end up in landfill. Partnering with ADA, a like-minded advocate for circular economy principles, we embarked on a trial with their customer, the Country Fire Authority of Victoria (CFA).
Turning Waste into Wonder
The trial focused on pre-consumer CFA uniform textile waste—off-cuts and factory seconds of heavy, fire-retardant woven cotton fabric (Proban-treated and certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100). Using Waverley Mills' industrial fibre recovery machines, we successfully extracted fibres from this robust material, a testament to our unique recycling capabilities.
Next, we blended these reclaimed cotton fibres with 70% new Australian merino wool—known for its softness, durability, and sustainability. The blend was carded, spun, and woven into a stunning new textile. The result: the CFA x Waverley Mills Circularity Recycled Blanket, where every speckle of recycled fibre tells a story of purpose and renewal.
A Commitment to Circular Economy Principles
This collaboration is more than a product; it’s a proof of concept for circular economy innovation. By creating a beautiful, functional throw from uniform waste, we are demonstrating how large-scale textile waste issues can be addressed through thoughtful design and advanced recycling capabilities.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Journey
The Circularity Throw is just the beginning. Our next step is to gauge consumer response and, with support from ADA and CFA, upscale production to keep more textiles out of landfill. Together, we aim to set a new standard for sustainable textile production, where waste becomes the foundation for something beautiful and lasting.
Explore the Circularity Throw and join us in redefining sustainable luxury, one recycled thread at a time.
