Sorting for Circularity India: Post-Consumer Pilot
India generates around 3,944k tonnes of post-consumer textile waste annually, with 48% viable for recycling feedstock, though inadequate sorting and recycling systems prevent full utilisation. This project involved two primary pilots that tested sorting innovations: Matoha’s FabriTell desktop scanner for semi-automated sorting and PICVISA’s ECOSORT for fully automated sorting. The pilots aimed to assess these technologies’ ability to categorise waste by fibre and colour efficiently, ultimately facilitating quality feedstock production for recycling. Initial findings suggest India could effectively harness a closed-loop textile recycling system, with cotton and polyester blends as dominant waste types.
Problem Statement
The apparel industry faces immense pressure to meet the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement, with fashion accounting for 2-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 3 emissions, especially from processing (Tier 2), represent a critical challenge. Shifting to dry processing technologies has the potential to reduce water and energy use, contributing to lower emissions and a smaller environmental footprint.
Stakeholders involved
The D(R)YE Factory of the Future project brought together key industry leaders and innovators committed to revolutionizing textile processing. The project’s brand stakeholders included: