Every year, millions of tons of used textiles end up in the trash worldwide—most of which is incinerated or sent to landfills. Less than 1% of old textiles are recycled into new textiles. At the same time, textile consumption continues to grow, with significant environmental consequences along the supply chain. The production of new textiles consumes large amounts of energy, water, and chemicals – and causes significant greenhouse gas emissions.
A functioning textile recycling system is therefore a key component of a sustainable textile industry. However, there are currently major challenges: most textiles are made of blended fabrics or contain additives such as elastane or coatings that make material recycling difficult. There is also a lack of standardized collection and sorting systems and sufficient marketable recycling technologies on an industrial scale.
ifeu investigates the ecological potential and limitations of different recycling paths – from mechanical to physical to chemical recycling. We analyze environmental impacts along the life cycle, evaluate innovative circular models, and develop strategies to promote closed material cycles.
Together with partners from industry, research, and politics, ifeu is working on scientifically sound solutions for effective and environmentally friendly textile recycling—with the aim of conserving resources, avoiding waste, and actively shaping the transformation toward a truly circular economy in the textile sector.
Contact
Dr. Hanna Karg
Dr. rer. nat. M.Sc. Geography
+49 (0)6221 4767 120
hanna.karg@ifeu.de
Sven Gärtner
Dipl. Physik Ingenieur (graduate in physical engineering)
+49 (0)6221 4767 64
sven.gaertner@ifeu.de
Projects
ÜBER-AUS: Resource-efficient use of surplus and waste materials from the textile industry through the creation of regional recycling loops
The textile industry is one of the most resource-intensive industries. The ÜBER-AUS project is exploring ways to reduce waste from production and logistics while improving its valorisation.
The Key: Chemical recycling of polyester in fibre blends as a key enabler for a holistic, circular textile economy
The project “The Key” promotes the complete recycling of polyester/cotton blended fabrics through an optimized combination of innovative chemical and mechanical recycling processes.
Balance on mass flow, climate change and environmental aspects for the federal province of Berlin in 2020
SKU-balance 2020
The SKU balance has been compiled every two years since 2010. A focus topic of the SKU balance 2020 is the investigation into the generation and treatment of used textiles and e-waste.
DiTex
Digital technologies as enabler of a resource-efficient circular economy: pilot test in the B2B textile industry
Production of textiles from fresh fibres implies environmentally harmful exhaust air and waste water emissions in fibre production and textile finishing. At the same time, these processes consume…