Recycling partners receive prestigious King’s Award

Established in 2007, with a head office in Heywood, Lancashire Recycling Solutions (North West) Ltd is a family-run recycling company that has worked with charities and local authorities since 2007 to raise funds and reduce the amount of clothing, textiles and household items in landfill.

It raises funds primarily for Air Ambulance charity partners throughout the UK by the collection and resale of second-hand clothing, which it exports to Europe and Asia. The clothing is donated by the public into a network of over 700 clothing banks. Overseas sales have grown over three years by 55.2%.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance has 100 textile recycling bins located across the county, over 313 tonnes was donated using the recycling banks during 2023. 

The company’s sole purpose is to provide charity partners with a regular and sustainable revenue stream, allowing the Air Ambulance charities to continue their lifesaving work. Its vision is to expand the incomes of charity partners, with the increased growth of the clothing recycling scheme and into other areas of recycling. The company wins the King’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over three years.

Recycling Solutions managing director Stephen Graley said: “We are honoured and privileged to be recognised for the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. Our commitment to the highest standards, forging strong relationships and our excellent staff are the backbone to our success, this award is the consequence of all their efforts.

“Our work has provided millions of pounds to Air Ambulance charity partners in the UK, we are looking forward to continuing this strategy and enabling our charity partners to continue their lifesaving work”

Accepted items include clean clothing, paired shoes, linen, coats, towels and sheets. The donations are then sorted, with good quality items, which can be reused, sold to second-hand clothing traders in the UK and across the world. Garments which are unable to be sold are recycled into industrial wipers and cloths, mattress filling, insulation and new fibres.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK. The awards were first established in 1965 and since then over 7000 companies have achieved a King’s Award. This year 252 businesses have been recognised for their contribution to International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through Social Mobility).

If your business could host a collection bank, please get in touch with the team at Recycling Solutions here: waa@recyclingsolutions.org.uk.