In a recent article, I cited some of the issues associated with textile-to-textile recycling. This likely relates mostly to waste textiles produced during the manufacturing process, since being able to determine the exact fiber content of used clothing and home décor can be problematic. And textile-to-textile recycling of fabric with multiple fiber types is also problematic.

As pointed out by the Textile Exchange, “In theory, textile-to-textile recycling has a lot of potential to help create a more sustainable future for the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. On the ground, the processes needed to make it happen are extremely complex. How do we collect unwanted clothes? Who sorts this waste by the type of fiber used? And how do we improve the technology available to turn old garments into new materials?”

Lots of questions to be answered and not clear at all who has accountability to make it happen. And why is it so important? There are many sources that quantify how much textile waste ends up in landfills. Not only are we running out of space for these landfills, but discarded textiles create greenhouse gases as they decompose. And in some countries, the contents of landfills are periodically burned, resulting in the emission of toxic smoke that causes significant health problems in surrounding communities. TheRoundup.org reports that the world produces 92 million tons of textile waste every year! Worse yet only 1% of clothes will get recycled into new garments—and between 80 and 100 billion new clothing garments are produced globally every year!