Innovative trial uses fast fashion throwaways to plug potholes

Old clothes are being used to fix potholes in Maidstone's parks thanks to an innovative new trial by Maidstone Borough Council and sustainable materials company RECOOL.

The council is testing a pothole repair material made from recycled textile waste at Mote Park and Penenden Heath. The pilot is taking place on council-owned land and does not involve public roads, which are maintained by Kent County Council.

As the authority responsible for maintaining parks, open spaces and car parks across the borough, the Maidstone Borough Council hopes the trial will demonstrate whether the material can provide a durable and more sustainable alternative to traditional repair methods.

Five potholes, two at Mote Park and three at Penenden Heath, have been repaired using an experimental low-carbon product developed by RECOOL and installed in partnership with contractor Loughman. The material uses recycled textile waste to fill most of the pothole, with a specialist surfacing layer applied on top.

According to the charity Waste and Resources Action Programme, the UK generates around 1.45 million tonnes of used textiles every year, with almost half of all used textiles ending up in general waste rather than being reused or recycled. By repurposing textile waste in repair materials, the project aims to support more circular and sustainable approaches to infrastructure maintenance.

Councillor Rachel Rodwell, Cabinet Member for Climate Transition and Nature Recovery, said: “While second-hand selling sites have helped extend the life of many clothes, fast fashion means huge amounts of textiles are still being thrown away every year.

“This pilot is about turning that problem into an opportunity. By testing whether waste textiles can be repurposed as part of a pothole repair material, we're exploring a practical solution that could reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and support the circular economy.

“It's an exciting example of how innovation can help address environmental challenges while tackling everyday maintenance issues.”

Councillor Clive English, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement said: “Our parks and open spaces welcome millions of visits every year, so keeping them safe, accessible and well maintained is a top priority.

“This trial gives us the chance to test a potentially game-changing product in real-world conditions and see how it performs under everyday use and all the challenges our British weather can throw at it.

“Innovation like this helps us make smarter decisions about how we maintain council-owned land while reducing environmental impacts. And while responsibility for potholes on public highways sits with Kent County Council, we're keen to share what we learn with any authority interested in the results.”

The repairs have been completed recently and will be monitored over the coming months to assess their performance under normal park use and weather conditions. Any future use of the product will depend on the outcome of the trial.

Elise Daly of RECOOL said: “We’ve been delighted to work with Maidstone Borough Council and Loughman’s on this trial. RECOOL transforms mixed textile waste into practical, lower-carbon alternatives to traditional plastic products, creating new uses for materials that might otherwise go to waste.

“We hope innovations such as this can help councils and businesses reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and deliver value for local communities.”

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