Coppermill Ltd: A Century of Sustainable Textile Recycling and Family Tradition

When you walk down a quiet street in Bethnal Green, East London, you’ll find more than just cobblestones and history—you’ll find a legacy. That’s where you’ll discover Coppermill Ltd, a family-run textile recycling company with roots that stretch back over a century.

Founded in 1920 by Mr “Jack” Ratzker, Coppermill began as a humble rag merchant business—sorting, salvaging, and repurposing textiles at a time when resourcefulness was a necessity, not a trend. Jack’s values of hard work, sustainability, and community laid the foundation for what would become a multi-generational enterprise.

Today, over 100 years later, Coppermill Ltd is still going strong. Still on the same street where Jack began his journey. Still family-owned. And still leading the way in textile recycling. The business is now proudly run by Jack’s son, Stephen, and grandson Marc, who carry on the Ratzker legacy with pride and purpose.

But this isn’t just a story about tradition—it’s about evolution.

In 1984, Coppermill Ltd was awarded the Royal Warrant, marking them as official suppliers of cleaning wipers to none other than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Yes, you read that right: our rags are fit for a queen—literally. It's a rare honor that speaks volumes about the quality, reliability, and integrity of the work we do.

Over the decades, Coppermill has adapted to the changing world, embracing sustainable practices and championing textile reuse long before “eco-friendly” was a buzzword. At our core, we believe that giving textiles a second life isn’t just good business—it’s the right thing to do for our planet.

Whether you're a local business in need of high-quality cleaning wipers or a partner passionate about sustainability, Coppermill Ltd is here to help. With a century of experience behind us and a forward-thinking vision ahead, we're proud to continue turning yesterday’s textiles into tomorrow’s solutions.