Episode 4: Turning textile waste into opportunity with Jeff Vollebregt

Pictured above: Jeff Vollebregt.

In this episode of Sustainably Ever After, Lilah is joined by Jeff Vollebregt, Founder and Director of ImpacTex, a local company leading the way in textile recycling.

Jeff Vollebregt shares how his company is tackling the ever-growing issue of textile waste by diverting unwanted uniforms and old clothing from landfill and turning them into valuable products, all while reducing environmental harm.

Jeff explains how ImpacTex treats waste as a resource, believing that sustainability leads to better outcomes for everyone but especially for future generations. Jeff’s passion for sustainable practices has allowed him to extend ImpacTex beyond environmental stewardship to making a meaningful social impact by improving social outcomes for local communities and educating others on sustainable business practices.

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Episode highlights

Textile waste in New Zealand: Did you know that Kiwis throw out 220,000 tonnes of textiles each year? ImpacTex is addressing this issue head-on, having diverted over 300 tonnes of textile waste from landfills in just over two years.

The importance of recycling: Jeff explains how textile waste, especially non-biodegradable materials like polyester and polycottons, contribute to greenhouse gases when they break down in landfills. Recycling these textiles not only prevents emissions but also reduces the need for new
manufacturing, helping to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the production
of new materials.

Up-cycling: ImpacTex doesn’t just recycle textiles, they up-cycle them into useful products such as acoustic panels, coasters, and road signs. These items are durable, sustainable, and can be reprocessed back into new products, closing the loop on waste.

New business opportunities: Jeff highlights how the company is constantly looking for ways to expand its impact, including developing new solutions for recycling challenging materials like PVC and nitrile gloves.

Sustainability advice for businesses: Jeff also discusses how businesses can reduce textile waste by choosing recyclable materials and making smarter purchasing decisions.

Whether you’e a business looking to reduce your environmental footprint or a consumer interested in making more sustainable choices, this episode is packed with insights on how we can all contribute to a circular economy and reduce textile waste.

Get in touch

Website – nzbusiness.co.nz/podcasts
Instagram – @sustainablyeverafterpodcast

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to rate the podcast on Spotify or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. That way more people can find us and learn about Sustainability!

Find out more about ImpacTex

Website – impactex.nz
LinkedIn – @impactexNZ
Instagram – @impactex.nz

A special thanks to sponsors of this podcast, OfficeMax, whose vision it is to empower sustainable and successful workplaces. Learn more about how they can help your business at www.officemax.co.nz.