Closing the Loop: How Flagmakers NZ Is Driving Textile Recycling from the Inside Out

When it comes to leading the way in sustainable manufacturing, New Zealand-based Flagmakers is proof that change can come from the ground up - and that textile recycling doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Flagmakers have now diverted almost 2,000kg of fabrics from landfills, with After.

We sat down with Managing Director, David Moginie at Flagmakers to learn why they started recycling with After, what it’s meant for their business, and what advice they’d share with others looking to close the loop.

Staff-Led Sustainability: A Business-Wide Commitment

Flagmakers has long been focused on reducing its environmental footprint - starting by eliminating plastic from all packaging. But it didn’t stop there.

“We’ve effectively eliminated plastic packaging,” they told us, “and as part of our broader environmental strategy, we started exploring fabrics made from recycled fibres and partners who could recycle our products after use.”

Interestingly, this shift wasn’t top-down. “What was exciting was that this initiative was largely driven by our staff. The management team didn’t have to do much - our people were already coming up with great ideas to reduce waste.”

With increasing demand from government and corporate clients for more sustainable options, Flagmakers recognised the need to be proactive in helping customers meet their goals, too.

What Gets Recycled (and What Used to Go to Landfill)

Flagmakers primarily works with polyester fabrics, which are essential for producing flags and textile signage. The company generates textile waste in two main ways: leftover production offcuts, and post-consumer flags sent back by customers once they’ve reached the end of their life.

“Before working with After, all of this waste was going to landfill,” the team admitted. “Now, we’re recycling 100–200kg each month - and we expect that to grow.”

Why After?

It wasn’t easy finding a recycling partner who could handle synthetic textiles like polyester. “Most companies only dealt with natural fibres like cotton or wool,” they explained.

But After stood out.
“The service is efficient, cost-effective, and their team is responsive. We also really like the environmental metrics they provide - it helps us show both our staff and customers the positive impact we’re having.”

Customer Buy-In and Culture Shift

Recycling isn’t just an internal win - it’s something Flagmakers’ customers are starting to expect.

“Government, corporate, and council clients now see this as the ‘new norm.’ And because there’s no real cost penalty to using recycled fabrics or returning products, we’re removing barriers that could stop them from making the sustainable choice.”

Flagmakers absorbs around half the recycling costs, with customers contributing a small fee per item. “It’s important that we keep this simple and accessible.”

Advice to Other Manufacturers: Just Start

When asked what they’d tell other businesses considering textile recycling, the answer was clear:

“It’s an easy, accessible, and cost-effective solution. While there is a cost, it’s not high - and it’s offset by savings in landfill fees. More importantly, the environmental benefit is real.”

Flagmakers is just one example of how manufacturers can take real, measurable steps toward closing the loop. And when solutions are made simple, they’re more likely to stick.

Interested in starting textile recycling for your business? Get in touch with us - we’d love to help you build a more circular future.