The report, undertaken by the EOG as part of its contribution to the DEMETO Project was carried out to explore current practices, problems and barriers within the textile supply chain that affect textile recycling. This will be followed up with a second part that will take amore qualitative deep dive into the issues identified in part one.
Textile waste is a global issue that brands are increasingly required to take responsibility for. With available technologies and innovations continuing to make huge strides, it is becoming increasing apparent that the biggest challenges may come, not in the form of the recycling processes themselves but rather through the ability to collect and process the feedstocks that will be required to make these processes economically viable.
The DEMETO project aims to be the first feasible and sustainable (economically, environmentally and socially) industrial application of chemical treatment for reuse of PET/Polyester waste streams, through the application of microwave technology. It is one that holds great potential for the industry due to its continuous, rapid depolymerisation process, and the ability to process mixed waste (fibre blends, trims etc).
Through collaboration with the DEMETO Project, the results aim to inform the development of collection and sorting infrastructures required by textile recycling technologies through a review of practices related to post-Industrial and pre-consumer waste, excess stock and post-consumer waste.
The full report can be downloaded below.
Contact Dr Jane Turnbull for more information [email protected]