From Waste to Resource: Optimizing Textile Waste Management for a Circular Economy

The environmental impact of the textile industry is a growing concern, particularly in Europe, due to its high resource consumption, waste generation, and pollution, as highlighted by the European Commission. The industry significantly contributes to water contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and excessive landfill waste, necessitating urgent improvements in waste management practices. Effective textile waste management is crucial for advancing sustainability and fostering a circular economy. However, challenges such as mixed-fiber compositions, inefficient recycling processes, and inadequate waste separation hinder the industry's transition toward circularity. This study examines strategies to optimize textile waste management and enhance circularity within the garment manufacturing sector. By analyzing the weekly waste output of a garment production facility, the research identifies the most effective processes for handling different fabric types and converting textile waste into valuable resources. The methodology involves a detailed assessment of fabric composition, color classification, and fiber length to develop efficient waste management strategies. These factors are critical in determining the viability of reuse and recycling pathways for textile materials. The findings emphasize the importance of adopting a waste management hierarchy based on the principles of waste prevention, reuse, and recycling. Initially, potential applications for textile waste in secondary industries-such as insulation materials, composite reinforcements, and industrial textiles-are explored. Subsequently, the study investigates recycling through separation techniques, recognizing that blended fabrics pose significant challenges for recycling methods. To address this, a mechanical separation process is implemented to recover fibers, particularly from cotton and polyester, which are among the most commonly used textiles in garment production. Additionally, the study initiates an exploratory phase into chemical and enzymatic recycling strategies to assess their feasibility in breaking down blended fabrics and regenerating fibers for reuse. While this phase is still in its early stages, preliminary assessments suggest that these techniques could improve fiber recovery. Future research will focus on refining these methods to enhance efficiency, scalability, and environmental performance. By applying the waste management hierarchy to optimize textile waste management and integrating mechanical separation with emerging chemical and enzymatic recycling techniques, this study contributes to the development of more effective and sustainable waste management solutions for the textile sector. The insights gained can support policymakers, manufacturers, and researchers in adopting innovative practices that enhance textile waste reduction, minimize environmental impact, and accelerate the transition toward a more circular economy within the industry.