Wimbledon's iconic Murray Mound has been reimagined as a towering heap of discarded white clothing on London's South Bank, drawing attention to the staggering scale of the UK's textile waste problem. The five-metre-high, eight-metre-wide installation, created by cleaning specialists Dr. Beckmann in partnership with circular clothing experts Reskinned, is constructed from thousands of white garments saved from landfill. It mirrors the famous all-white dress code of Wimbledon, where the original mound—once known as Henman Hill—was renamed after British tennis star Andy Murray during his career peak in the 2010s.
Daily Waste Equivalent to Murray Mound
Research commissioned by Dr. Beckmann and Reskinned reveals that a mound of white clothing equivalent in size to Murray Mound is sent to landfill every single day across the UK. The study of 2,000 adults found that white is the nation's favourite colour for summer wear, yet it is also among the most likely to be discarded. Brits throw away an average of eight white clothing items per person each year, amounting to an estimated 440,178,024 white garments annually nationwide.
The average lifespan of coloured clothing is roughly one-third longer than white clothing, with staining, dulling, and discolouration driving much of the problem. This creates a cycle of replacement rather than retention, with the average person expected to buy 212 white T-shirts during their adult lifetime.
Judy Murray Highlights the Issue
Tennis coach Judy Murray, mother of Andy and Jamie, fronted the campaign. She said: "As a mum, I remember the endless battle of trying to keep Andy and Jamie's tennis whites looking white. Grass stains, sweat marks, mud—you name it, it all came home with them. So, I know first-hand how quickly white clothing can start to look past its best. But to think that a pile of discarded white clothing the size of Murray Mound is going into landfill every single day is deeply concerning. Tennis is synonymous with white clothing, so there's no better moment to shine a light on the issue."
The research also showed that many discarded white items could be saved with better laundry habits, as 52% of Brits do not always do a separate white wash, risking colour transfer, dulling, and greying.
Expert Calls for Better Care
Chloe Baker from Dr. Beckmann, creators of Glowhite which helps prevent greying and dullness, said: "Nearly half of Brits are washing whites with colours, which can accelerate greying and dullness, while stains, sweat marks and yellowing are causing people to replace items that could often be rescued. We believe people need the right tools for the right job. Our mission is to help consumers care better, waste less and keep their whites in play for longer."
While charity shops (63%) remain the most popular destination for unwanted clothing, 29% of people admit to putting unwanted garments straight into the household bin. White clothing faces a unique second-hand stigma: many believe stains and marks are easier to spot, making it the hardest colour to resell. One in three Brits said they are less likely to buy second-hand white clothing.
Reskinned Offers Second Life
Ross Barry, co-founder of Reskinned, said: "This is the first time we have seen estimates looking specifically at colourway, and the findings show just how vulnerable white clothing is to being discarded. White garments can be harder to resell or donate because visible marks, stains and discolouration are easier to spot, but that does not mean they have reached the end of their life. Stains and all, we work to make sure clothing is given a second life wherever possible. Through our takeback programme, we collect unwanted clothing directly from consumers and find the best next destination for every item, whether that is resale, repair, reuse or recycling, helping to keep textiles in use for longer and out of landfill."
To help consumers rescue their own summer whites, Dr. Beckmann has also launched The Washing Line, a dedicated laundry hotline (+441618412861), offering expert advice on tackling stains, dullness and discolouration throughout the Wimbledon fortnight.
