What Upparel does

Upparel is an Australian onshore textile recycling operator headquartered in Cranbourne West, Melbourne, with a secondary processing footprint in NSW. The company was founded in 2016 as MANRAGS, a premium socks and underwear subscription business, and pivoted in 2020 to national textile recycling under the UPPAREL brand following a Series A crowdfunding equity round. Upparel operates an end-to-end model spanning consumer collection (10kg/$35 and 20kg/$70 mail-back boxes via e-commerce and Australia Post), B2B enterprise services (stock recycling, uniform recycling, secure destruction with 24/7 live-streamed facility and Certificate of Destruction, and BoxUp subscription bins), and downstream material commercialization through its UPtex certified circular material sold in felt, cushion, and board formats to construction, packaging, signage, and homewares buyers.

The underlying technology is mechanical recycling with full chain-of-custody tracking, processing all textiles domestically at Australian facilities rather than exporting offshore. A proprietary traceability system logs every kilogram from collection through processing to circular output, producing audit-ready ESG impact reports quantifying CO2 emissions avoided. The business serves six customer segments: fashion brands and retailers (Cotton-On, Kathmandu, DECJUBA, The North Face, Wrangler), corporate and uniform programs (Bendigo Bank, Suncorp, RSEA Safety), local councils and government (Maroondah City Council), construction, schools and education, and individual consumers. The UpCircle partner program (with 60+ retail brands) and the Reuse charity network (Save The Children, Good360, Sacred Heart Mission, St Kilda Mums, Djirra) drive consumer-side feedstock and redistribution of fit-for-wear items.

Upparel monetizes through transaction fees on consumer collections, custom-priced enterprise contracts, subscription-based BoxUp bins, and commercial sales of UPtex material. The company is Certified B Corporation, AFR Sustainability Leaders 2025 recognized, and Premier's Sustainability Awards 2023 winner. Social enterprise partnerships with Disability Services Australia (SkillsThread), The Bridge, and Assist Ability Australia provide sorting and decommissioning labor while generating verifiable employment outcomes. The company remains founder-controlled by Michael Elias (CEO) and Tina Elias (Co-founder), operates solely within Australia, and has not disclosed revenue or institutional funding beyond the 2020 crowdfunding round.

Name

Upparel

Legal name

UPPAREL (ABN 61 672 269 788)

Website

https://upparel.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Upparel is an Australian onshore textile recycling operator that diverts clothing and textiles from landfill through consumer mail-back collections, enterprise uniform and stock recycling programs, and downstream UPtex circular material sales to construction and packaging buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Textile Recycling Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Waste Collection (56211), Textile Bag and Canvas Mills (314910)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Textile & Apparel Sorting/Recovery Facilities (EUAIADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Material Reuse & Upcycling Services (Non-recycling Transformation) (EUAIANAJ), Textile & Apparel Recycling and Sorting (Non-E-waste) (BPALADAL), Repair, Refurbishment & Upcycling Services (Industrial Scale) (IMAOAMAK), Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF)

Keywords

• Textile recycling services
• Circular fashion partnerships
• Uniform recycling solutions
• Stock waste management
• Recycled material manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Business Textile Recycling Services: B2B services for brands and retailers including stock recycling, uniform recycling, secure destruction, and in-store/on-site solutions. Custom quarterly impact statement reports for ESG goals. Pricing based on volume/weight of textiles processed.
2. Consumer Clothing Collection: Direct-to-consumer textile recycling collection service. Consumers purchase shipping labels/boxes starting from $35 for 10kg collection. Revenue per transaction based on weight tiers.
3. UPtex Material Products: Commercial sale of recycled textile material (UPtex) to businesses in construction, furniture, fashion, and product manufacturing sectors. Sold in formats including boards, felt, and cushion for commercial use.
4. Subscription Box Service: BoxUp subscription-based solution for businesses providing customisable recycling bins for faulty stock, returns, offcuts, samples, and uniforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Upparel provides end-to-end textile recovery and recycling services that divert unwanted clothing and textiles from landfill. The company operates an onshore Melbourne processing facility offering business services (stock recycling, uniform recycling, secure destruction, in-store/on-site collection, and digital solutions) as well as a direct-to-consumer clothing collection service. It also produces UPtex, a certified circular material made entirely from recovered textiles, sold commercially in felt, cushion, and board formats for construction, packaging, signage, and homewares.

Product overview

Upparel operates as a textile recycling platform offering both direct-to-consumer and business-to-business services. The core offering consists of the UPtex circular material (available in felt, cushion, and board formats for construction, packaging, signage, and homewares applications) and a portfolio of collection/recycling services including the Clothing Recycling Collection Service for consumers, and business solutions covering Stock Recycling, Uniform Recycling, Secure Destruction, Box Up (In-Store & On-site), Digital Solutions, and Reuse. The UpCircle partner program enables retail brands to offer rewards to customers who recycle textiles. All services operate on an onshore Australian processing model with full traceability and ESG reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UPtex: Certified circular material made entirely from recovered textiles, available in felt, cushion and board formats, used in signage, packaging, interiors, acoustics, construction and homewares.
• BoxUp

Products and services

• UPtex Circular Material Certified circular material made entirely from recovered textiles, available in three formats (felt, cushion, and board) and used in construction, packaging, signage, homewares, and acoustic applications. It is 100% recycled and fully recyclable at end of life. Sold commercially to businesses in construction, furniture, fashion, and product manufacturing sectors.
• Clothing Recycling Collection Service Direct-to-consumer textile recycling service allowing Australian households to mail in up to 10kg or 20kg of unwanted textiles for reuse and recycling. Collections are booked online and picked up via courier or dropped off at Australia Post locations. Pricing starts at $35 for 10kg.
• Stock Recycling Business solution for retailers to sustainably manage aged stock, faulty stock, customer returns, and damaged goods through responsible recycling, with quarterly ESG impact reports outlining carbon emissions saved. Processed at Melbourne facility.
• Uniform Recycling Secure, compliant solution for end-of-life uniform disposal that de-brands, processes, and transforms retired garments through strict handling procedures. Fast, safe, and fully traceable for organisations with branded uniform needs.
• Secure Destruction Irreversible destruction service for branded uniforms, emergency services apparel, designer pieces, and counterfeit goods. Features 24/7 live-streamed facility with Certificate of Destruction for full brand protection.
• BoxUp (In-Store & On-site) Subscription-based recycling bin solution for businesses to collect faulty stock, returns, offcuts, samples, uniforms, and customer drop-offs. Customisable recycling bins slot seamlessly into retail and corporate spaces.
• Digital Solutions Digital booking system for textile reuse and recycling, allowing businesses to offer customers a seamless way to recycle clothing, linen, shoes, and accessories with online booking and pickup. Collections start from $35 for up to 10kg.
• Reuse Service Redirects still-wearable items to vetted Australian charities and social enterprises, keeping garments in use and out of landfill for as long as possible.
• UpCircle (Recycle and Rewards) Partner reward program where participating brands offer customers store credit or rewards in exchange for recycling textiles through Upparel. Partners include Sportsgirl, LSKD, Brooks Running, Rockwear, Macpac, Boody, Sussan, and others.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,987 tonnes of textiles diverted from landfill with full traceability
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The North FaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner featured in customer logos, indicating commercial partnership for textile recycling solutions.
• Cotton-OncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Australian fashion retailer partner trusted by Upparel for textile waste management.
• KathmanducoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCertified B Corp partner with 24 in-store textile recycling bins across Melbourne. Largest drop-off network to date. Accepts Kathmandu products only including clothing, shoes, and hats.
• DECJUBAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFashion retailer with online denim recycling satchels and store drop-off points across all ANZ locations. Accepts any denim brand in any condition.
• SportsgirlcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUpCircle partner offering $25 store credit for customers who recycle 10kg of textiles. Part of reward program driving customer engagement.
• MacpaccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor retailer with in-store recycling bins accepting Macpac branded items. Partnership supporting product end-of-life responsibility.
• Paddy PallincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor gear retailer with stores in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra, Adelaide accepting all textile items from any brand.
• Bendigo BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate uniform recycling program diverting 32,000kg of uniforms from 7,000+ employees across 400+ branches, demonstrating scalable corporate solution.
• Save The ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner receiving fit-for-wear items for distribution. Part of open-door return policy ensuring donated items reach those in need.
• Good360 AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner receiving new or fit-for-wear items for distribution to Australians in need. Ensures proper allocation of reusable textiles.
• DjirracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAboriginal organisation receiving fit-for-wear items. Part of network ensuring diverse community access to reusable textiles.
• Sacred Heart MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelbourne-based charity receiving fit-for-wear items. Part of trusted charity network for textile redistribution.
• Ready Set AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner receiving items for redistribution. One of multiple trusted Australian charity partners in the reuse network.
• St Kilda MumscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity providing essential items to families in need. Receives fit-for-wear textiles as part of social impact mission.
• Youth ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner receiving fit-for-wear items for youth support programs. Part of social enterprise network.
• Disability Services Australia / SkillsThreadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise partnership where SkillsThread participants sort, decommission and repack NSW consumer collections. Processed 23,000kg in 2022. Participants gain warehouse skills with 50% progressing to paid positions.
• The BridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisability employment program trial offering young people with disabilities work experience in sorting and decommissioning. Processed 800kg of textiles daily. Four participants hired as part-time employees.
• Assist Ability AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeyond Labels collaborative program providing capacity-building for employment skills. Hands-on experience in sorting and decommissioning phases with environmental impact tracking.
• Melbourne BMWminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAustralian-first automotive textile recycling initiative partnership, expanding Upparel's reach into automotive sector.
• WoolworthscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational activation with Vanish (Make Textile Waste Vanish) offering free UPPAREL pickups targeting one million clothing items, bringing textile recycling to mainstream shoppers.
• HoMieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerREBORN BY HOMIE collaboration transforming pre-loved denim into collection, raising awareness on upcycling with proceeds supporting young people affected by homelessness or hardship.
• Intrepid Travel and InvestaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAustralian Open viewing lounge created from recycled textiles demonstrating circular economy applications in event and hospitality sectors.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BlockTexx: Australian textile-to-textile recycling company developing processes to separate polyester and cotton blends. Closest geographic and operational peer to Upparel, both targeting onshore Australian textile circularity with proprietary processing technologies.
• Worn Again Technologies: UK-based polymer regeneration company recycling polyester and cotton from textiles into new raw materials. Comparable to Upparel in closing the textile-to-textile loop, though Worn Again focuses on chemical/petrochemical regeneration versus Upparel's mechanical processing and UPtex material.
• Evrnu: US-based fiber regeneration technology company turning textile waste into virgin-quality fibers for apparel brands. Comparable to Upparel as a textile-to-fiber recycler addressing fashion industry circularity, though Evrnu focuses on engineered fibers rather than boards and felts.
• Aquafil (ECONYL): Italian nylon producer offering ECONYL, a regenerated nylon made from textile and fishing-net waste. Comparable to UPtex as a recycled-input material sold to apparel and interior brands, but focused on nylon rather than blended cellulose textiles.
• Circ: US-based textile recycler using patented technology to separate and recover polyester and cellulose from blended fabrics. Direct peer in transforming post-consumer textiles into virgin-equivalent feedstocks for fashion and packaging brands.
• Renewcell (Circulose): Swedish recycler (now under restructuring) producing Circulose dissolving pulp from 100% recycled textiles. Comparable to Upparel's UPtex as a circular material output from recovered garments, though Renewcell focused on cellulose feedstock rather than finished board/felt products.
• Birla Cellulose (Liva Reviva): Aditya Birla Group's cellulose fiber business producing Liva Reviva, a recycled-content viscose fiber. Comparable to UPtex as a circular-input material sold to apparel and home textile manufacturers, but at a much larger global scale.
• I:CO (part of Bank & Vogue): Global textile collection and sortation company operating take-back programs for fashion brands. Directly comparable to Upparel's collection, sortation, and brand-partner services, but at multi-country scale and via retail/brand partnerships rather than direct D2C.

Broad incumbents

• Eastman (Naia Renew): Global specialty materials company offering Naia Renew, a cellulosic fiber made with recycled content. Compares to UPtex as a recycled material sold into fashion and home textiles, but operates as part of a diversified materials portfolio rather than a pure textile-recycling play.

Emerging players

• The Salvation Army (Salvos Stores): Australia's largest charity clothing collector with extensive retail drop-off network. Competes with Upparel for consumer-side textile collection at zero consumer cost, though it operates as a reuse/resale charity rather than a recycling-to-material business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/upparelofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upparelofficial

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Upparel