Every year, worldwide millions of tonnes of used textiles end up as waste, most of which is incinerated or sent to landfill. Less than 1% of used textiles are recycled into new textiles. Meanwhile, textile consumption continues to grow, resulting in significant environmental impacts throughout the supply chain. The production of new textiles requires large quantities of energy, water and chemicals, and generates significant greenhouse gas emissions.
Effective textile recycling is therefore essential for a sustainable textile industry. However, there are currently major challenges: most textiles consist of blended materials or contain additives such as elastane or coatings, which make material recycling difficult. There is also a lack of standardised collection and sorting systems, as well as a lack of industrial-scale recycling technologies.
ifeu investigates the environmental potential and limitations of various recycling pathways, ranging from mechanical and physical to chemical recycling. We analyse environmental impacts throughout the life cycle, evaluate innovative circular economy models, and develop strategies to promote closed material cycles.
In collaboration with partners from industry, research and politics, ifeu is developing scientifically sound solutions for effective and environmentally friendly textile recycling. The ultimate goal is to conserve resources, avoid waste, and actively promote the transition to a 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.
EnaTex - Sustainability & Climate Protection in the textile industry
German-Indonesian Partnership for Climate Protection
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies in Partnership for Climate Protection: Technical innovations and measures are developed from the project and optimised and evaluated according to their impact…
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…