How efficient management can reduce textile waste and promote recycling

Despite the introduction of new guidelines for textile waste generated by companies and consumers in Europe, there is still little regulation regarding the management of post-industrial waste during the production phase. According to a research project by OCAD University in Ontario, Canada, an average of 35 percent of all materials used in the textile supply chain end up as waste before the finished garments reach the consumer. Other sources speak of up to 47 percent of the raw materials being lost as waste during this phase. 

In contrast with post-consumer waste, which results from textile products having been used by consumers, post-industrial waste is high-quality new material that has not been used and can, theoretically, be recycled more quickly, easily and cheaply. Indeed, the chemical recycling of synthetic textiles is 10-20 percent more expensive than that of new materials. After a textile has been used, it is frequently unclear which chemicals have been used to treat it, thus rendering environmentally friendly recycling more difficult. Post-industrial waste consists of unused textiles and, despite the fact that they are valuable for recycling, they are rarely separated in the countries of manufacture and generally incinerated or sent to landfill.

TWMS can be used in textile and apparel factories, recycling plants and waste disposal facilities and offers benefits for all stakeholders: brands benefit from standardised data, recycling companies receive high-quality raw materials while improved waste disposal strengthens the local economy and environment. To ensure minimal disruption to operational processes and achieve results quickly and effectively, Closed Loop Fashion sets great store by process optimisation. To this end, an app for mapping waste streams was developed especially for TWMS and launched at the end of November 2024.