Maidstone Borough Council has started a trial using recycled textile waste to fill potholes. The pilot, run with sustainable materials firm Recool, has repaired five potholes on council-owned land in Mote Park and Penenden Heath. Each pothole is filled with a low-carbon product made from recycled clothes, topped with a specialist surfacing layer. The council says the aim is to cut waste, lower carbon emissions, and support the circular economy. The UK generates about 1.45 million tonnes of used textiles each year, and nearly half goes to general waste instead of being reused or recycled. This pilot tests whether textile waste can become a practical road repair material. The repairs will be monitored over the coming months for durability under regular use and weather. If successful, this could offer a new use for waste textiles and a small but meaningful step toward lower-carbon infrastructure maintenance.
