International Journal of Home Science 2018; 4(1): 164-168

ISSN: 2395-7476
IJHS 2018; 4(1): 164-168
© 2018 IJHS
www.homesciencejournal.com
Recycling of textiles waste for environmental protection
Received: 26-11-2017
Accepted: 27-12-2017
Sushma Rani and Zeba Jamal
Sushma Rani
Ph.D Research Scholar, Abstract
Department of Textile and Textile industry is among the most essential consumer goods industry. However, textile industry is
Apparel Designing accused of being one of the most polluting industries. Not only production but consumption of textiles
COHS, CCS HAU, Hisar,
also produces waste. To counter the problem, textile industry has taken many measures for reducing its
Haryana, India
negative contribution towards environment. One of such measures is textile recycling- the reuse as well
Zeba Jamal
as reproduction of fibers from textile waste. Recycling can be done through thermal, material, chemical
Ph.D Research Scholar, and mechanical processes. Textile recycling is beneficial for environmental and economic conditions,
Department of Textile and reducing demand for textile chemicals, requirement of landfill space is reduced, consumption of less
Apparel Designing energy and reducing of water wastage. Market research, and efforts are needed to increase consumer
COHS, CCS HAU, Hisar, awareness and to encourage manufacturers to increase the use of recycled textile waste into new
Haryana, India products.

Keywords: Fibers, recycled, textile and waste

Introduction
Textiles are manufactured to perform a wide range of functions and are made up of different
types of fibers mixed in varying proportions. The textile recycling industry is one of the oldest
and most established recycling industries in the world. While the textile industry has a long
history of being thrifty with its resources, a large proportion of unnecessary waste is still
produced each year. Commercially, textile waste generation is influenced by the production of
textile goods, higher the production, the greater the amount of waste. The textile industry has a
very negative impact on our environment. Clothing manufacturing generates large amounts of
textile waste, which ends up in landfills. Only a minute amount is re-utilized. Out of various
activities in textile industry, chemical processing contributes to about 70% of pollution.

What is “textile waste”?

Like all wastes, textile waste originates from the community via number of streams including
the fibers, textile or clothing manufacturing industries, consumers, commercial and service
industries. Majority of textile waste comes from household sources. Average lifetime of any
clothing is deemed to be for about 3 years, after which, they are thrown away as old clothes.
Sometimes even 'not so worn garments' are also discarded as they become unfashionable, or
undesirable. These are post-consumer waste that goes to jumble sales and charitable
organizations.

Correspondence
Sushma Rani Pre-consumer textile waste
Ph.D Research Scholar,
Department of Textile and
Pre-consumer textile waste is the manufacturing waste that is generated by processing fibers
Apparel Designing and the production of finished yarns and textiles, technical textiles, nonwovens, garments
COHS, CCS HAU, Hisar, including off-cuts, selvages, rejected material, etc. This waste is generally clean waste.
Haryana, India
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International Journal of Home Science

 Recycling is a key concept of modern waste management.

Recycling is the reprocessing of waste materials into new
or reusable products. Ninety-nine percent of used textiles
are recyclable.

Physical Recycling
In Physical Recycling Manufacturing waste and post
consumer products are reprocessed into new products using
Post-consumer textile waste reclamations process or commingled plastics waste
Post-consumer textile waste consists of any type of garments processing. Due to its simpler, cheaper and more
or household textiles that the consumer no longer needs environmental friendly process, physical recycling is more
because they are worn out, damaged, or have gone out of favourable than Chemical Recycling.
fashion. This category has been of reasonable to good quality
garment that can be recovered and subsequently recycled by Chemical Recycling
another user as second-hand clothing, much of which is sold Chemical recycling is to convert high molecular weight
to third-world nations like Togo, Ethiopia, Comoros, Haiti polymers into low molecular weight substances. The obtained
etc. substances can be used as the reactants for preparations of
other chemicals and polymers.
Recycling of textile waste can serve as a means of providing
solutions to many economic, environmental and social issues.
Though textile recycling has old history, in recent years it has
assumed prime importance due to Fast Fashion culture in
western world which has resulted in over consumption of
textiles and corresponding waste generation. The least
expensive and adverse effect on the environment is when a
component can be recycled into its original product, i.e. called
‘closed loop’ recycling. The second best is when it can be
used in another article which usually requires less demanding
properties, for example face car seat fabric being recycled into
backing material.

Types of Recycling Technologies

Industrial textile waste  Thermal Recycling Technology
Industrial textile waste is generated from commercial and  Material Recycling Technology
industrial textile applications including commercial waste  Chemical Recycling Technology
such as carpets and curtains. This waste is generally “dirty
waste”. A substantial proportion of these end-of-life goods are Thermal Recycling Technology: Thermal recycling is
incinerated or dumped to landfills. intended to recover heat energy generated from the
incineration of fibre wastes as thermal or electrical energy.

Material Recycling Technology: Material recycling recovers

polymers from fibres and at present, the idea of transforming
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into fibres is most
economical and widely used for practical purposes.

Chemical Recycling Technology: Chemical recycling

recovers monomers from waste fibres by polymer
decomposition. Impurities can be easily removed from
recovered monomers, so their quality will be made exactly
equal to virgin monomers.

Benefits of Textile Recycling

Textile and clothing recycling can give old clothes, linens,
To counter the problem, textile industry has taken many and other textiles a second life. The recovery of textiles and
measures for reducing its negative contribution towards clothing for recycling provide both environmental and
environment economic benefits. It avoids many polluting and energy
 One of such measures is textile recycling - is the method intensive processes that are used to make textiles from fresh
of reusing or reprocessing used clothing, fibrous material materials.
and clothing scraps from the manufacturing process.
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 Clothing and textile recycling reduces the need for not be available at a competitive price if made from
landfill space: Synthetic fiber products will not primary material, such as:
decompose in the landfill. Woolen garments do  The high- grade woolen hair found in laminated
decompose but they also produce methane which nonwoven used to make motor vehicle seats.
contributes to global warming.  Micro- fibre materials used for insulation or cleaning.
 Clothing and textile recycling reduces pressure on
virgin resources: Recycled clothing does not require the The Recycling of textile wastes on Garment stage
use of new textile resources such as cotton or wool. a) Used clothing market: Recovery from the waste stream
 Clothing and textile recycling encourages the includes re-use of a product in its original form, the largest
development of additional markets: Raw materials volume of goods is sorted for second hand clothing
created from recycled content generally cost less, making markets.
their use attractive and desirable to manufacturers. This in b) Conversion to New Products
turn leads to the development of more markets for  Breakdown of fabric to fibre: To breakdown of
reclaimed fibers. fabric to fibre through cutting, shredding, carding, and
 Clothing and textile recycling saves Energy and other mechanical processes. The fibre is then re-
Reduces Pollution: Recycling saves on energy engineered into value-added products. These products
consumption when processing. Unlike raw wool, include stuffing, carpet underlay’s, building materials
reclaimed fibers do not have to be thoroughly washed such as insulation and roofing felt, and low-end
using large volumes of water. blankets.
 Clothing and textile recycling reduces the demand for  Re-design of used clothing: Current fashion trends are
dyes and fixing agents: This in turn reduces the problems reflected by a team of young designers who use and
caused by their use and manufacture. customize second-hand clothes for a chain of specialty
vintage clothing.
The recycling of textile wastes is carried out at two stages:
1. Fiber Stage Post-consumer textiles wastes are also up-cycled in small
2. Garment Stage Indian clusters. Traditionally, old cotton sarees are made
into layers and stitched together using run stitches, to give
Fibre Recycling Technologies a unique design effect as “Kantha”. This is used for
A vast number of products are made from reprocessed fiber infants and children as blankets and wraps as it is soft and
because much of this fiber is re-spun into new yarns or suitable for the Indian climatic conditions.
manufactured into woven, knitted, non-woven fabrications,
upholstery material or composite biomaterial etc. The c) Wiping and polishing clothes
approaches include:  Clothing that has seen the end of its useful life as such
 Chemical processes to depolymerize nylon and other may be turned into wiping or polishing cloths for
polymers, industrial use.
 Recovery of plastic resins from carpet fibres  T-shirts are a primary source for wiping and polishing
 Direct extrusion of mixed carpet waste clothes because the cotton fibres makes an absorbent
rag and polishing cloth.
The recycling of textile wastes on Fiber stage:  Old textiles, mostly cotton are often converted to
a) Yarns from Recycled Fibres: The waste produced in a wipes, kitchen towels, dusting cloth. If the garments
textile mill is an important factor in determining the are in a good condition they are generally passed down
operating cost and therefore in influencing mill profits. to the under privileged people. Garments are collected
The recovered fibers from waste can be used to produce by different NGOs to distribute to the people after a
blended yarns in different portions. These can be reused natural calamity like floods.
for the open end spinning and friction spinning.
b) Upholstery Material from Recycled Fibres: At least 3- Barriers in recycling
4% of the weft yarn including catch ends is unavoidable Lack of Equipments: It has a greater problem for medium-
waste in every type of weaving machine. The catch sized firms than for small or large firms. Recycling often
selvedge yarn strip is sold at throw away price. The fibers yields fibers that are too short to be spun into yarns. There are
are separated by the garnetter who uses them for stuffing problems in recycling blend such as polyester and cotton, or
of pillows and quilts. Use this waste for making fancy cotton and lycra are not easy to recycled.
composites for floor covering.
c) Composite Biomaterials from Recycled Fibres: Hair Lack of consumer awareness: Due to Lack of awareness,
and feathers are largely made of keratin, that could be attitude of peoples towards waste issues are complex. But
recovered and transformed into new materials with Recovery of post-consumer textile waste is dependent on
innovative properties suitable for textile or non-textile donations from the public. The increased use of recycled
uses. Protein fiber wastes such as by-products from the materials in products and the increased recovery of material
wool textile industry, poor quality raw wools not fit for for recycling can be achieved with an educated public.
spinning, represent an important renewable source of
biopolymers. Cost of the end product: Costs involved in processing the
d) Nonwovens made from Recycled Fibres: Depending on textile waste into a usable form in many cases is labor
product functions, reclaimed fibers can be looked upon as intensive. Extensive sorting of materials on the front end of
conventional in technical textiles, particularly in the processing by the recycler must occur to ensure quality
nonwoven. In all these cases, reclaimed fibres are used output through the recycler’s operation. It is difficult for
because of low prices. This concerns fibers, which would recycled fibers to compete in many markets where the price of
virgin fiber is so low.
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Lack of marketing: Lack of a market was ranked the highest Dupatta: Heavy dupattas with plain suits look great. Get the
with choosing it as the most significant barrier to entering the sari cut into a dupatta in a way that the border is used around
market place. Explanation can be that companies can produce the sides.
a finite number of wiping clothes, mop heads or trunk liners
before the market is saturated. Skirt: If it is a cotton sari, or a sari with border or patch work,
make a skirt out of it. A wrap-around skirt or an A-line one
Strategies of Textile Waste Management will look great.
Source Reduction: To have little or even zero waste source
reduction is considered in an integrated waste management Kurti: If it is chiffon, georgette or cotton sari then get a kurti
system e.g. avoiding waste generation, internal reuse of waste, or kurta made of it. It can be wore with contrast trousers or
reuse in other products etc. palazzo pants.

Incineration: It is a process of burning the solid textile waste Blouses: Silk sarees can be use as blouses.
like to short, shredded, loose fibres etc. recover the heat
energy. Pants: Silk saree can be turned into pants. Cigarette pants
look great and can be worn with many kurtas.
Reusing: Using the article again with the same functionally.
Scarves: After reinventing sari into an anarkali suit or kurta,
Recycling: Recycling must be an integrated effort a there may still be some fabric left. Don’t waste it. Make a
partnership with consumer retailer, manufacturer, recyclers scarf or stole out of it.
and government. The market acceptance of recycler textile
includes the willingness of manufacture to participate in Jackets or waistcoats: For Indo-western looks, a brocade or
research development and production of recycled into new Banarasi sari can transform into a waistcoat or jacket. This
products, as well as increasing retailer and consumer jacket can be worn over a simple white anarkali suit or over a
awareness and demand for these product category. grey top and denims.

Market strategies Children’s clothes: The sari can be turned into an anarkali
The study revealed that the most respondents have the suit for children.
perception that products made from recycled fibers are of
lower quality than items made from new fibers. So that many The little bits left over from your sarees after converting them
companies support marketing strategy that creates a strong into any of the above items can be used for other purposes
trade or channel demand for use with products made with around the house. Use them to make book covers, a pair of
recycled fibers. These are the strategies that are required for cushion covers, headbands or phone cases, curtain borders,
successful marketing of products made from textile waste: bedcover borders, table mats or just about anything your
 Cooperative advertising creative mind comes up with.
 Increase convenience
 Increase awareness Educating Public about Recycling - Currently, only 15% of
used clothing and textiles are being recycled. The other 85%
Some innovative ideas goes straight to our landfills and the majority of people don’t
Sarees are pieces of inheritance. A lot of them are a part of know they can recycle those unused textiles and help reduce
wedding silks and many are passed on by grandmother. To the negative environmental impact. Secondary Materials and
make them more wearable there are many ways to recycle a Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) is committed to help
traditional saree. federal, state and local government agencies to reduce the
amount of textiles going into landfills.
 School programs would help to get students thinking early
about textile recycling.
 Textile recycling information should be included in all
current public relations and promotions efforts now
supporting recycling programmes.
 All clean and dry clothing can be donated and recycled.
 All used clothing, even pieces with stains or missing
buttons, can be re‐used and repurposed.
 Besides the usual shirts, pants and suits donations, don’t
forget hats, gloves, socks, undergarments, belts, ties,
purses, handbags, of any style, age or condition.
 95% of consumer textiles can be recycled to be re‐worn or
re‐used. Wearable items are either sold or distributed by
charities.
 Un-wearable items are cut into wiping cloths and rags or
ground up into fiber to manufacture stuffing, insulation
and carpet underlayment.
 Household textiles like curtains, drapes, comforters,
sheets, pillow cases, towels, tablecloths and linens are all
Suits: The brocade saris, chiffon ones and even silk etc. can
recyclable.
be transformed into a salwar-suit, using contrasting salwar or
churidaar with a brocade kameez.
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Government’s Role shoddy mills in Panipat, India: an overview of the

 Encourage technology advancements for waste recycling. industry, its local impact and implications for the UK
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 Promote the use of re-usable or eco-friendly packaging Cotton Textile Wet Processing: An Experimental Study.
material. International Journal of Engineering Research and
 Direct the industries to reduce the packaging material and General Science. 2015; 3(2):384-390.
its composition, unfriendly packaging to encourage 13. Ramesh Kumar M, Saravanan K. Advanced treatment of
compliance. textile yarn dyeing waste water towards reuse using
reverse osmosis membrane. International journal on
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each year. That not only poses economic and Biomass Valor, 2010; 1:135-143.
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 Market research and efforts are needed to increase
consumer awareness and to encourage manufacturers to
increase their use of recycled textile waste into new
products.
 People those are impetuous for waste disposal would think
rationally about the rejuvenation of waste fibers for raise
the profit for their firm and also it reflects noble cause for
society by reducing the contamination in environment.
 Textiles in India are recycled both for the domestic and
the global market. In the domestic market recycled textile
products are generally found in the form of floor mats,
wipes and rugs. The fibres extracted during recycling of
clothing are converted into recycled yarns and it is used in
different textile products and also as fillers.
 Textile recycling also teaches everyone to reuse, reduce
and recycle these products instead of throwing them away.
 So, it is the time to think and make up our mind to use
recycled products to reduce the environmental pollution.

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