Maidstone Borough Council has started a small trial that uses recycled textile waste to fill potholes. Working with sustainable materials firm Recool, the council repaired five potholes in Mote Park and Penenden Heath. The potholes are on council-owned land, not public roads, and the repairs will be monitored for durability under regular park use and weather conditions. The pilot is part of a broader effort to cut carbon emissions and reduce waste. The UK generates about 1.45 million tonnes of used textiles annually, and almost half ends up in general waste. If the material holds up, it could offer a low-carbon alternative for road repairs, though scaling to public roads would require more testing and likely involve Kent County Council.
