The textile industry is one of the most resource-intensive and polluting industries in the world.
The textile industry is one of the most resource-intensive and polluting industries in the world. Every year, over 100 billion pieces of clothing are produced globally, placing a significant burden on the environment. According to the European Environment Agency, in 2020, textile consumption in the EU resulted in approximately 270 kg of CO₂ emissions per person. Additionally, the textile sector is responsible for 20% of global clean water pollution due to dyeing and finishing processes.
A crucial challenge is the low recycling rate of textile waste. Only 1% of discarded clothing is recycled into new textile products, highlighting the urgent need for improved recycling solutions. Globally, the issue of textile waste is gaining increasing attention. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the amount of textile waste worldwide increased by 811% between 1960 and 2015. In 2015 alone, textile waste amounted to 16 million tons, with approximately 66% ending up in landfills.
Most discarded clothing and textile waste worldwide ends up in landfills or mixed municipal waste. Natural fibers, such as wool, decompose and release greenhouse gases, while synthetic fibers take over 200 years to degrade, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment.
The EU generates 7-7.5 million tons of textile waste annually, averaging 16 kg per person. However, only 4.4 kg per person is separately collected for reuse or recycling, while 11.6 kg per person ends up in mixed household waste. Currently, around 30% of textile waste in the EU is incinerated.
Experts estimate that by 2050, over 150 million tons of clothing will either be landfilled or incinerated. In the UK, about 4% of textiles and fabrics collected for reuse or recycling still end up in landfills, costing the UK economy £82 million (€89 million) annually for landfill management.
Australia has one of the highest textile consumption rates, with 27 kg of new textiles purchased per person annually, while 23 kg are discarded in landfills. The Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) estimates that textile decomposition in EU landfills releases over 2,000 tons of toxic dyes annually.
In 2022, Ukraine generated 20,800 tons of textile waste. Of this, only 400 tons were recycled, while 300 tons were incinerated. The majority remains in landfills or is disposed of improperly.
At Re:inventex, we are actively addressing the global and local challenges of textile waste management. We implement world-leading recycling practices, collaborating with the fashion and textile industries, government bodies, environmental organizations, and consumers to foster a culture of responsible waste handling.
We use state-of-the-art European recycling equipment and aim to increase our recycling capacity to 10,000 tons per year by 2027. Our mechanical fiber recovery technology is among the most efficient in the industry, achieving up to 95% recycling efficiency without altering the material’s structure. This allows us to process both natural and synthetic fibers, producing high-quality raw materials suitable for various applications.
We invite businesses and stakeholders to visit our facility and witness firsthand how we give textiles a second life. Let's shape a sustainable future for the textile industry together!
