After the report found that around 500,000 tonnes of waste textiles end up in Canadian landfills annually, many of which are made of synthetic materials (such as polyester, nylon or acrylic), the scheme is focused on encouraging locals to donate their polyester-rich – preferably 100% polyester – activewear.

Proving that an “aesthetically pleasing”, consumer-facing end product (rather than downcycled insulation, for example) can be produced from used 100% polyester garments is the motivation behind the project, FTA said.

Environment and Climate Change Canada, a government department, is supporting the initiative financially, with work to be carried out by recycling supply chain partners SportChek, Goodwill Industries, General Recycled and Texel. Textile specialist Marianne-Coquelicot Mercier will also offer her support.

Those wishing to contribute to the pilot by way of making an activewear donation are invited to visit participating SportChek locations, where donations will be accepted via in-store recycling bins. Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes, will collect all recycled articles, sort and identify any which are not 100% polyester and then deliver the material to an industrial shredding facility in Quebec.

Following this, the shredded polyester will then be transported to a Quebec textile mill, where it will be formed into a felted fabric under the supervision of Ms Mercier. This felt will next be manufactured into new products by SportChek, with the end goal being to sell the final recycled articles in its stores by the autumn-winter 2022 season.