With increasing attention to sustainability, textile recycling offers a solution to the growing volume of waste generated by the textile and fashion industries. It allows businesses and consumers to contribute to a circular economy, where materials are reused rather than discarded.

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In this article, we will dive into the world of textile recycling, focusing particularly on mechanical recycling – the method used by our company, Re:inventex. We'll explore its advantages, challenges, and practical steps you can take to help reduce textile waste.

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Why is textile waste a problem?

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Textile waste is growing at an alarming rate, and its impact on the environment is significant. Each year, around 92 million tons of textile waste are produced worldwide. Textile waste come from various sources, including production waste from factories, defective or unsold products, and used items that can no longer be worn or utilized.

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Several key issues make textile waste a serious problem:

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- Resource depletion. Textile production requires significant natural resources. For example, producing one kilogram of cotton requires 10,000–20,000 liters of water. The ongoing demand for virgin textiles depletes freshwater supplies and leads to deforestation.
- Landfill overflow. Most used textiles end up in landfills, where they can take centuries to decompose. As landfills fill up, textiles release toxic chemicals and microplastics, contaminating soil and water.
- Carbon emissions. The textile industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, making it a substantial contributor to climate change. When textiles are burned, they release additional greenhouse gases, such as methane.

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To address these urgent issues, textile recycling is an essential solution for sustainable development.

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Textile recycling offers numerous benefits for both the environment and society, including:

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1. Resource conservation. Textile recycling reduces the need for new materials, preserving natural resources such as water, cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers. This helps to ease the burden on the environment and conserves resources for future generations.
 
2. Energy savings. Recycling textiles saves a significant amount of energy compared to producing new textiles from virgin materials. For instance, recycling polyester saves up to 75% of the energy needed to produce it from raw sources.
 
3. Waste reduction. Recycling transforms waste into valuable products, helping to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
 
4. Economic and social benefits. Recycling creates jobs in sorting, processing, and reprocessing textiles. Additionally, it supports local economies by producing affordable, high-quality materials for use in various industries.

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How does textile recycling work?

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Textile recycling can be carried out using two main methods: mechanical recycling and chemical recycling.

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Mechanical recycling is the process of physically breaking down textile waste into fibers, which are then used to create new fabrics or other products. This method involves several steps:

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1. Collection. Textile waste is gathered from various sources, including offcuts from weaving and sewing production, unsold or defective items, and used textiles.
 
2. Sorting.The collected textiles are sorted by type (e.g., cotton, polyester, wool) and color. Sorting by color is particularly important to avoid the need for re-dyeing, which reduces the environmental impact.
 
3. Shredding. The sorted textiles are mechanically shredded into small pieces, and then further processed into fibers.
 
4. Reprocessing. The recovered fibers are spun into new yarn or used in the production of nonwoven materials, which are applied across various industries, including textiles, automotive, and construction.

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Mechanical recycling is particularly effective for natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, as well as synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon. However, this method is most commonly used for production waste from weaving and sewing companies, as such textile waste is typically clean and free from contaminants like zippers, buttons, and other hardware.

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The mechanical recycling textile waste process at Re:inventex

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At Re:inventex, we specialize in mechanical recycling technology, which is central to our sustainable approach to managing textile waste. We currently focus on industrial waste, and our versatile technology can process textile waste of various compositions, including natural, synthetic, and blended fibers.

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The key benefits of using mechanical recycling at Re:inventex include:

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- High material recovery rate. We are able to recycle up to 95% of textile waste into usable raw materials.
- Versatility. The fibers produced through mechanical recycling are suitable for a wide range of products, including insulation and other industrial materials.
- Scalability. With a capacity to process over 2,500 tons of textile waste annually, Re:inventex plans to increase this volume to 10,000 tons by 2027, making a significant contribution to reducing global textile waste.

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Chemical recycling, on the other hand, involves breaking down textiles into their base molecules or monomers, which are then re-polymerized to create new fibers. This process is more complex and requires more resources than mechanical recycling, but it allows for the recycling of mixed fibers, such as cotton-polyester blends, that cannot be mechanically recycled.

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While chemical recycling can produce high-quality fibers, its reliance on chemicals and high energy consumption makes it less eco-friendly than mechanical recycling.

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How to start recycling textiles at home or in your business

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Getting started with textile recycling is easier than you might think. Here are a few steps you can take as an individual or business:

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1. Sort textiles. Begin by sorting textile waste into categories such as cotton, polyester, and blended fibers. Remove any non-textile materials, such as zippers, buttons, or hardware.
 
2. Find a local recycler. Many cities have textile recycling programs or drop-off points where you can take your unwanted fabrics. You can also partner with companies like Re:inventex, which offer industrial textile waste recycling services.
 
3. Choose recycled products. Support brands and businesses that prioritize sustainable solutions by using recycled textiles in their products. By choosing items made from recycled materials, you help close the loop in the textile industry.

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Textile recycling is not only a solution for managing waste; it’s a transformational approach that can change how we view fashion, textiles, and sustainable production. Through mechanical recycling, companies like Re:inventex are leading the way to a sustainable production cycle, reducing environmental impact and supporting the circular economy.

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Understanding the textile recycling process and integrating it into our daily lives and businesses allows us all to contribute to creating a sustainable future. Whether you’re sorting clothes at home or partnering with recycling companies, every small action matters in reducing textile waste and protecting our planet.

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