SIP Markets Secondary Raw Materials & Recyclables Contact desk

Textile Waste

TEXTILEWSecondary Raw Materials & Recyclables1 listed market

Textile waste is used clothing, household textiles and manufacturing offcuts collected for reuse, recycling or conversion into industrial materials. The stream splits three ways: wearable garments sorted by type, season and condition and resold into second hand clothing markets; unwearable material cut into wiping cloth or pulled back to fibre for insulation, nonwovens and yarn; and clean single fibre offcuts from garment manufacture, which are the highest value recycling feedstock because their composition is known. Buyers are sorting houses, second hand wholesalers, wiper converters, mechanical fibre pullers and the chemical recyclers now taking cotton and polyester back to feedstock.

Listed textile waste markets

Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.

SymbolGradeDelivery pointState
TEXTILEW.SORTED.AE-SHSorted post-consumer textileUnited Arab EmiratesTwo-way, quoted on request

Grades

Textile waste is bought against a described stream, a sorted grade and a fibre composition. Original collected material is traded as unsorted bales by source; sorted material is traded by category, season and condition against a written grade description; and recycling feedstock is traded on fibre composition, colour and the absence of hard points. Every parameter names how it is measured, and the hygiene and import treatment is settled before the cargo commits.

Material composition and identification

7 grades

Determined on a representative sample drawn under the sampling procedure named in the contract, by the analytical and sorting methods stated against each parameterWhat the material actually is. In secondary raw materials the composition is the product, because the same trade name covers very different streams depending on where it was collected and how it was processed.

GradeDefinition
StreamDeclared, as original collected, sorted, or post industrial offcutOriginal material is unsorted as collected. Sorted material has passed a sorting house. Post industrial offcut is manufacturing waste of known composition and has never been worn.
Collection sourceDeclared, as household collection, charity, container bank, kerbside or retail take backThe source predicts the mix and the condition, and it is stated because two loads with the same grade name from different collection systems do not sort the same.
Fibre compositionPercentage by mass of each fibre, by quantitative chemical analysis or by microscopy, on a representative sub sampleCotton, polyester, polyamide, acrylic, wool, viscose and blends. Composition is the determining parameter for any recycling route, since blends cannot be processed by most fibre to fibre technologies.
Sorted categoryDeclared, against the written grade description in the contractCategories such as summer or winter outerwear, shirts, trousers, knitwear, household linen, footwear and bags, each described in writing rather than by grade name alone.
Condition classDeclared, as first grade wearable, second grade wearable, or unwearableFirst grade is saleable as is with no visible defect. Second grade carries defined wear. Unwearable goes to wiper or fibre. The defect definitions are written into the contract.
Colour sortDeclared, as sorted by colour or unsortedMechanical fibre recycling reuses the colour rather than redyeing it, so colour sorted feedstock is a distinct and higher value product.
Season and destination fitDeclared, as the market the sort is prepared forSorting houses prepare different sorts for different climates and buying markets, and the sort specification is stated so the buyer receives what their market actually sells.

Quality specification

8 grades

Tested by an accredited laboratory under the named standard method, on a sample drawn and split in the presence of both parties or their appointed inspectorThe numbers the contract settles on. Each parameter names the method it is measured by, because a figure without a method is not a specification.

GradeDefinition
Bale weightKilograms per bale, weighed at loading and recorded on the packing listStated with the tolerance. Bale weight and count together give the settlement weight and reconcile against the weighbridge.
Bale densityKilograms per cubic metre, by measurement of the compressed baleGoverns how many tonnes fit in a container and therefore the delivered cost.
MoisturePercentage by mass, by loss on drying at the named temperature to constant massWet bales mould in transit and arrive unsaleable. A maximum is stated and it is measured, not assumed from appearance.
Wearable yieldPercentage by mass, by sorting a weighed sample bale under the contract definitionsThe proportion of the load that meets the wearable definition. This is the number the economics of an original collected load turn on, and it is verified by an agreed sample sort.
Wiper yieldPercentage by mass, by sorting a weighed sample baleThe proportion suitable for conversion to wiping cloth after removal of hard points and non absorbent fibre.
Fibre yieldPercentage by mass, by sorting and by fibre composition analysisThe proportion suitable for mechanical pulling or chemical recycling, stated against the composition limits the receiving process works to.
Staple length after pullingMillimetres, measured on the pulled fibre by the named methodWhere the material is sold as pulling feedstock, the length obtainable governs whether the fibre can be respun or only used in nonwovens.
Hard point contentPieces per kilogram or percentage by mass, by manual sorting of a weighed sub sampleButtons, zips, rivets, buckles, wire and other non textile items, which damage pulling and cutting machinery and must be within a stated tolerance.

Contamination and prohibited material

7 grades

Assessed by visual inspection, manual sorting of a weighed sub sample and laboratory analysis, against the tolerance stated in the contractWhat must not be in the load, and how much of anything else is allowed. This is the clause most disputes turn on, so it is written as measured tolerances rather than as a general expectation of cleanliness.

GradeDefinition
Hygiene conditionDeclared, as clean and dry, with the treatment applied where the destination requires itSoiled, wet or mouldy material is excluded. Where the importing country requires fumigation or disinfection, the treatment and the certificate are named.
Prohibited itemsDeclared, as an absolute exclusionMedical waste, sharps, soiled undergarments, wet or mould affected material, animal remains, hazardous waste and any item bearing free liquid are excluded outright.
Non textile foreign materialPercentage by mass, by manual sorting of a weighed sub sampleGeneral refuse, packaging, timber, glass, stones and metal against the stated tolerance, with the sorting record retained.
Footwear and leatherPercentage by mass or declared as excludedFootwear, leather goods and rubber items are a separate stream and are either excluded or declared with a stated maximum, because they change both the sort economics and the import treatment.
Restricted substancesParts per million, by the named instrumental method where the buyer requires itAzo dyes, heavy metals and restricted finishes, tested where the recyclate re enters the consumer supply chain.
Pest and biological riskDeclared, as inspected and treated to the destination requirementTextile bales can carry insects and mould. The inspection and any treatment are documented, since a failed inspection at discharge strands the container.
OdourAssessed by inspection at loading and recorded on the inspection reportPersistent odour from storage or from contamination makes a wearable sort unsaleable regardless of visual condition.

Physical form and packing

6 grades

Measured and inspected at the point of loading, and recorded on the packing list and the inspection reportHow the material presents and travels. Form governs the freight cost, the handling equipment at both ends and what the buyer plant can accept without reprocessing.

GradeDefinition
PresentationDeclared, as compressed bales, loose in container, or in bulk bagsCompressed bales are standard. Loose loading is used only where the receiving sorting house is set up for it.
Bale dimensionsMillimetres, stated as length, width and heightStated because the receiving sorting line and the container stow both depend on the bale size.
WrappingDeclared, as the wrap and strapping materialPolypropylene wrap and strapping is the norm. The wrap is specified because it must survive handling and keep the bale dry.
MarkingDeclared, as the grade name, lot reference and bale number on each baleSo a disputed bale can be traced to its sort batch rather than to the container as a whole.
LoadabilityTonnes per container, declaredDensity and bale size decide whether the container weighs out or cubes out.
StorageDeclared, as covered dry storage before loadingSpecified because a compliant bale stored in the open goes out of specification for moisture within days.

Regulatory classification and transboundary movement

7 grades

Classified against the Basel Convention entries, the OECD Decision and the importing and exporting national law, with the codes stated on the movement documentWhether the cargo can legally move from where it is to where the buyer wants it. This is settled in writing before any commitment, because the classification decides the consent procedure, the timeline and in some corridors whether the trade is possible at all.

GradeDefinition
Waste or product statusDeclared, as second hand goods for reuse, or as wasteSorted wearable clothing generally moves as second hand goods; unsorted and unwearable material generally moves as waste, and the classification changes the paperwork and the timeline.
Basel classificationDeclared, as the applicable entry with its codeStated in writing before commitment, because the entry decides whether prior informed consent applies.
Import restrictionDeclared, as the importing country position on used clothingA number of destinations restrict, licence or prohibit used clothing imports, and several apply pre shipment inspection. Verified against the current position before shipment.
Pre shipment inspectionDeclared, as required or not, with the appointed agencyWhere the destination mandates inspection at origin, the agency and the certificate are named and the cost and timeline are built into the sale.
Fumigation and sanitary requirementDeclared, with the treatment certificateSome destinations require fumigation or a sanitary certificate for used textiles. The requirement is confirmed before booking.
Extended producer responsibilityDeclared, where the exporting jurisdiction operates a textile producer responsibility schemeThe scheme obligations and any reporting the seller must file are named in the contract.
Tariff classificationDeclared, as the customs code on export and on importUsed clothing, rags and recovered fibre sit under different codes with different duty and licensing treatment, so the code is agreed in advance.

Inspection, documentation and settlement

9 grades

Governed by the contract, the Incoterms rule named in it and the movement documentation required by the exporting, transit and importing jurisdictionsThe commercial machinery around the material. In secondary raw materials the paperwork is as much of the product as the tonnage, because a cargo that cannot clear customs is worth nothing at the quay.

GradeDefinition
SamplingUnder the sampling procedure named in the contract, with sealed retained samples held by both partiesIndependent, at load or at discharge as agreed. The retained samples are the evidence if the analysis is disputed.
InspectionBy an independent inspection company named in the contractWeight, condition, contamination check and loading supervision, with a report and photographs issued to both parties.
Weight basisDeclared, as loaded weight or landed weightWhether the invoice follows the certificate at load or the weight ascertained at discharge, and which weighbridge or draft survey governs.
Umpire analysisNamed in the contract, with the tolerance that triggers itA third laboratory, agreed in advance, whose result is final and binding within the stated splitting limit.
Movement documentationNotification and movement documents, transfer note, bill of lading and packing listThe consent and tracking paperwork required by the exporting, transit and importing jurisdictions.
Certification and auditDeclared, as the certifications held by the processing siteThe management system, chain of custody and responsible recycling certifications the buyer requires, with the certificate numbers stated.
Rejection and downgradeStated in the contract, with the remedy for eachWhat happens if the load is off specification: rejection, a price allowance, reprocessing at seller cost, or return, and who bears the freight in each case.
Payment termsDocumentary credit, cash against documents or open account, as agreedStated with the provisional and final invoice mechanism where the price depends on an analysis result.
Insurance and carriageDeclared, with the Incoterm and the insured valueThe Incoterms rule named with the version year, and the party carrying the risk over each leg.

Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.

Locations

CountryRegionWe trade it as
United StatesNorth AmericaOrigin and destination
CanadaNorth AmericaOrigin and destination
United KingdomEuropeOrigin and destination
IrelandEuropeOrigin and destination
GermanyEuropeOrigin and destination
NetherlandsEuropeOrigin, destination and trading hub
BelgiumEuropeOrigin, destination and trading hub
FranceEuropeOrigin and destination
ItalyEuropeOrigin and destination
SpainEuropeOrigin and destination
PortugalEuropeOrigin and destination
AustriaEuropeOrigin and destination
SwitzerlandEuropeOrigin and destination
DenmarkEuropeOrigin and destination
SwedenEuropeOrigin and destination
NorwayEuropeOrigin and destination
FinlandEuropeOrigin and destination
PolandEuropeOrigin and destination
CzechiaEuropeOrigin and destination
SlovakiaEuropeOrigin and destination
HungaryEuropeOrigin and destination
RomaniaEuropeOrigin and destination
BulgariaEuropeOrigin and destination
GreeceEuropeOrigin and destination
TurkeyEurope and Middle EastOrigin and destination
UkraineEuropeOrigin and destination
United Arab EmiratesMiddle EastOrigin, destination and trading hub
Saudi ArabiaMiddle EastOrigin and destination
IsraelMiddle EastOrigin and destination
EgyptAfricaOrigin and destination
MoroccoAfricaOrigin and destination
TunisiaAfricaOrigin and destination
NigeriaAfricaOrigin and destination
GhanaAfricaOrigin and destination
KenyaAfricaOrigin and destination
TanzaniaAfricaOrigin and destination
South AfricaAfricaOrigin and destination
BrazilSouth AmericaOrigin and destination
ArgentinaSouth AmericaOrigin and destination
ChileSouth AmericaOrigin and destination
ColombiaSouth AmericaOrigin and destination
PeruSouth AmericaOrigin and destination
MexicoNorth AmericaOrigin and destination
ChinaAsiaOrigin and destination
Hong KongAsiaTrading hub
TaiwanAsiaOrigin and destination
JapanAsiaOrigin and destination
South KoreaAsiaOrigin and destination
IndiaAsiaOrigin and destination
PakistanAsiaOrigin and destination
BangladeshAsiaOrigin and destination
Sri LankaAsiaOrigin and destination
VietnamAsiaOrigin and destination
ThailandAsiaOrigin and destination
MalaysiaAsiaOrigin and destination
IndonesiaAsiaOrigin and destination
PhilippinesAsiaOrigin and destination
SingaporeAsiaTrading, finance and destination
CambodiaAsiaOrigin and destination
AustraliaOceaniaOrigin and destination
New ZealandOceaniaOrigin and destination

Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.

Timing

Generation is when the material is collected and processed at origin, which follows the consumption and collection cycle of that market rather than a crop season. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a processing market. The gap between them is sorting, baling or refining, the export consent procedure and the voyage.

HarvestArrival

OriginJFMAMJJASONDWindow
United StatesHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecThe largest single source of collected used clothing, running year round, with sorting both domestically and after export.
GermanyHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecContainer bank and charity collection at scale, feeding a long established sorting industry that supplies graded sorts worldwide.
United KingdomHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecCharity shop and kerbside collection year round, with most unsold material baled for export sorting.
NetherlandsHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecCollection origin and the main European trading and transhipment point for both original and sorted material.
BelgiumHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecConcentrated sorting industry taking original material from across Europe and shipping graded sorts out.
PolandHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecLarge sorting capacity serving both the domestic second hand retail market and export.
United Arab EmiratesHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecRegional sorting and re export hub, taking original material from several continents and redistributing graded sorts.
IndiaHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecMajor destination for sorting and for mechanical fibre pulling, and an origin for post industrial offcut and pulled fibre.
PakistanHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecSubstantial sorting, wiper conversion and pulling industry, and an origin for garment manufacturing offcut.
BangladeshHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecVery large volume of post industrial garment offcut of known composition, which is the cleanest recycling feedstock in the trade.
ChinaHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecLarge collection base and processing capacity, with import rules that are confirmed case by case before shipment.
CanadaHarvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecCharity and kerbside collection year round, with material moving south by road and overseas by sea.

Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including term offtake, forward positions and tonnage already sitting in a destination warehouse or bonded terminal.

Customs, packing and contract terms

Indicative terms for textile waste. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.

  • HS heading6310.10 Used or new rags and textile waste, sorted
    6310.90 Used or new rags and textile waste, other
  • PackingBulk in container for flake and scrap, mill size bales for textile and paper, flexitanks or ISO tanks for used cooking oil and pyrolysis oil. Contamination tolerance is the clause that decides the claim.
  • Container loading20ft: 20 t to 26 t depending on density. Used cooking oil at 22 t to 24 t in a flexitank.
  • Contract and arbitrationBIR model contracts with BIR arbitration, ISRI specifications for metal and paper grades, and for used cooking oil an ISCC EU or ISCC PLUS chain of custody certificate, which carries most of the value in the trade.
  • Destination limitsBasel Convention notification and prior informed consent for hazardous and most plastic waste movements, the EU Waste Shipment Regulation 2024/1157 which restricts plastic waste exports outside the OECD, the end of waste criteria that decide whether the cargo is a product or a waste, and RED III sustainability and ILUC rules for waste based biofuel feedstock. Several destinations apply outright import bans.

Common questions

What grades of textile waste does SIP Global trade?

We quote 44 published grades of textile waste, including Stream - Declared, as original collected, sorted, or post industrial offcut, Collection source - Declared, as household collection, charity, container bank, kerbside or retail take back, Fibre composition - Percentage by mass of each fibre, by quantitative chemical analysis or by microscopy, on a representative sub sample, Sorted category - Declared, against the written grade description in the contract, Condition class - Declared, as first grade wearable, second grade wearable, or unwearable and Colour sort - Declared, as sorted by colour or unsorted. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.

How is textile waste graded?

Textile waste is bought against a described stream, a sorted grade and a fibre composition. Original collected material is traded as unsorted bales by source; sorted material is traded by category, season and condition against a written grade description; and recycling feedstock is traded on fibre composition, colour and the absence of hard points. Every parameter names how it is measured, and the hygiene and import treatment is settled before the cargo commits. Grading runs on 6 systems: Material composition and identification, Quality specification, Contamination and prohibited material, Physical form and packing, Regulatory classification and transboundary movement and Inspection, documentation and settlement.

Where does SIP Global trade textile waste?

We trade textile waste in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and France and 53 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.

When is textile waste harvested and when does it arrive?

Typical windows are United States: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Germany: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; United Kingdom: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Netherlands: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Belgium: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.

What is the HS code for textile waste?

Textile waste is normally classified under HS 6310.10 (used or new rags and textile waste, sorted) and HS 6310.90 (used or new rags and textile waste, other). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.

How do I get a price for textile waste?

Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed textile waste market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.

Standards and data sources

The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.

  • UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
  • ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
  • FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities

Price this with our desk

Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.

Nothing here matches what you are holding? Send it anyway. The sheets cover the markets we publish, not the limit of what the desk will look at.

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