The Textile Recycling Association (TRA) is proud to announce the launch of its Code of Practice which sets the professional industry standard which all used textile collectors should aspire to. The new code set the standards expected of TRA members when they engage in charity shop, clothing bank, door to door and other forms of used clothing and textile collections.
“The TRA has been working diligently to ensure that its members have been operating to the standards the public and other stakeholders should expect of those engaged in used clothing collections, and the introduction of this code is just the next part of this process” said Ross Barry, President of the Textile Recycling Association.
“This code will enhance the expectations required of our members who are already compelled to uphold various requirements set by the TRA and others” Barry went on to say.
The new code also spells out that TRA members are required to uphold all legal obligations, with particular reference to those who engage in charitable fundraising, who need to be transparent about who is collecting and how a charity benefits
Alan Wheeler, National Liaison Manager for the TRA said:
“Businesses raise substantial sums for their charity partners and pass on a significant proportion of the net profits. All the costs are absorbed by the TRA member. Now there is also the reassurance of knowing that the member has signed up to this new code of practice, the public can more certain that when a collection is carried out by a TRA member it is being undertaken by professionals that are operating to the level of integrity that people should expect. The public should simply look out for the TRA Logo.”
The TRA also hopes that the public will become more aware that the established industry mainly consists of profit making businesses, and that making money from charitable collections is vital. All charities engaged in charity shop and other clothing collections rely on these businesses in one form or another. If these businesses did not make profits, there would be no industry and no one for the charity to sell their clothing to.
What is more, some TRA members employ up to 300 people, which makes them major employers in their local areas. If the public are more aware that charitable clothing collections are not only raising substantial sums for a named charity, but also helping to support major employers, most people will see this as an additional benefit.
Further Information
Contact: Alan Wheeler – National Liaison Manager
Tel: 0845 6008276
E-mail: