The famous Wimbledon landmark has been reimagined as a pile of discarded white clothing in a campaign fronted by Judy Murray, spotlighting the UK’s textile waste problem
Henman Hill was famously renamed Murray Mound after British tennis star Andy Murray during the height of his career in the 2010s. But now, the iconic Wimbledon landmark has been reimagined as a heap of abandoned white garments.
It is estimated that a mountain of clothes, big enough to match Henman hill, is destined for landfill every single day. This reimagined landmark on London’s South Bank is constructed from stained, faded and yellowed white clothing, highlighting the extent of the UK’s textile waste crisis.
Championed by Judy Murray and developed by cleaning and laundry experts, Dr. Beckmann urges Brits to keep their white garments in use for longer.
The five-metre-high, eight-metre-wide heap has been constructed from thousands of abandoned white items rescued from landfill, mirroring the famous all-white tennis dress code.
Judy Murray 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.
“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.”
A study of 2,000 adults commissioned by Dr. Beckmann and circular clothing specialists, Reskinned, found white is officially Britain’s favourite shade to sport during summer – yet also amongst the most likely to end up binned.
Britons confess to binning an average of eight white garments per person annually, totalling an estimated 440,178,024 white items nationwide each year. Coloured clothing typically lasts around a third longer than white garments, with staining, fading and discolouration fuelling much of the issue.
Te study showed many binned white pieces could be rescued through improved washing practices, as 52% don’t consistently separate whites, risking colour bleeding, dulling and greying.
Chloe Baker from Dr. Beckmann, creators of Glowhite, which helps to 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% admit to putting unwanted garments straight into the household bin – and it’s no surprise why.
White clothing faces a unique second-hand stigma. Many people believe stains and marks are easier to spot making it the hardest colour to resell. One in three even admitted they are less likely to buy second-hand white clothing.
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 discoloration this fortnight.