Recycled Fibres to New Knitwear
Working with the Salvation Army and Deakin University
SACHA DRAKE's Sustainable Fashion Initiative
At SACHA DRAKE, we're proud to be part of an innovative Australian textile recycling initiative alongside The Salvation Army (Salvos Stores) and Deakin University.
Together, we're exploring how surplus and unsaleable clothing donations can be transformed into recycled cotton fibres and given a second life as Australian-made knitwear.
This exciting collaboration combines textile recycling, research and local manufacturing to explore a more sustainable future for Australian fashion.
Giving Donated Clothing a Second Life
Every year, The Salvation Army receives clothing donations, including excess stock and garments that are unsuitable for resale. Rather than letting these materials go to waste, this initiative explores how the fibres from these donations can be recovered and transformed into new yarns.
Through research led by Deakin University, these recycled fibres are being developed for use in new clothing production. SACHA DRAKE was invited to test a specially developed yarn made from 30% recycled cotton and 70% virgin cotton, using our Brisbane-based knitting technology to assess its potential for garment production.
The goal was simple: could cotton recovered from donated clothing be used to create the same quality knitwear as traditional yarns?
Turning Recycled Fibres into Knitwear
Our Brisbane knitwear team put the recycled yarn to the test using our innovative WHOLEGARMENT knitting technology, which creates
garments in one complete piece rather than cutting and sewing separate fabric panels. This process helps minimise fabric waste during production.
We successfully produced three knitwear samples using
existing SACHA DRAKE designs:
- Chevron Knit Top
- ¾ Sleeve Ripple Knit Top in two sizes
The results were promising. The recycled cotton yarn performed similarly to our regular commercial yarns, requiring only minor machine adjustments. The recycled fibres also gave the finished garments a slightly textured, hand-spun appearance, with subtle flecks that added a unique character to each piece.
Behind the SACHA DRAKE Knitwear
Our knitwear is proudly made in-house in Brisbane, Australia, using advanced knitting technology. Having our own local knitwear team allows us to explore new materials, test innovative techniques and refine our designs.
This project demonstrates how Australian fashion brands can
work alongside researchers and recycling organisations to find new uses for
donated textiles that might otherwise go to waste.
While the initial recycled cotton garments were successful, further development is needed to refine washing performance, garment fit and
more complex knit designs before commercial production.
What's Next for Recycled Knitwear?
The success of these first samples opens the door to further research into recycled textile fibres.
Future testing will explore increasing the percentage of recycled cotton, introducing new colours and experimenting with different fibres, including wool and linen.
For SACHA DRAKE, this initiative is an exciting opportunity to support Australian textile innovation and explore how donated clothing could become part of future knitwear collections.
Building a More Sustainable Fashion Future
By working alongside The Salvation Army and Deakin University, SACHA DRAKE is helping explore new ways to transform surplus and unsaleable clothing donations into wearable fashion.
Our first recycled cotton knitwear samples are an encouraging step towards a more circular approach to Australian clothing production, where existing materials can be given a new purpose.
We're excited to see where this innovation takes us next.
FAQ
Knitwear
The fibres are recovered from surplus and unsaleable
clothing donated to The Salvation Army, giving textiles that are unsuitable for
resale an opportunity to be repurposed into new materials.
SACHA DRAKE has partnered with The Salvation Army and Deakin
University to test recycled cotton yarn using our Brisbane-based WHOLEGARMENT knitting technology. Our team successfully produced three prototype knitwear garments.
The recycled cotton garments are currently part of a research and development project and are not yet available for purchase. Further testing is needed to explore their potential for future collections.
SACHA DRAKE offers a collection of Australian-made knitwear designed to combine comfort, versatility, and style. The range includes everything from cap-sleeve and off-the-shoulder fashion-forward tops to long-sleeve styles that are ideal for layering and travel. Sitting somewhere between a shirt and a blouse, these pieces deliver the comfort and ease of a knit top with the polished look of a blouse, making them perfect for both everyday wear and occasions.
The knitwear collection is made from a range of premium fabrics, including wool blends, 100% cotton knits, and cotton-polyester blends. Selected for their comfort, durability, and ease of care, these fabrics offer breathability, softness, and stretch while maintaining a polished appearance. These lightweight, breathable fabrications are suited to year-round wear in Australian conditions rather than heavy cold-weather knitting.
The knit tops run true to size with stretch for ease of movement. SACHA DRAKE recommends choosing the size closest to your bust and waist measurements rather than sizing up. The ribbed waist gives a defined silhouette without feeling constricting.
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