SYSTEM CIRCULARITY AND INNOVATIVE RECYCLING OF TEXTILES
Abstract
Given its resource intensity, the European Commission has identified the textiles sector as a priority for the Circular Economy. An important measure is the mandatory separate collection of discarded textiles as of 2025. Finding suitable outlets for these increasing volumes of collected textiles is a challenge. Currently its non-reusable fraction is mostly downcycled or incinerated, less than 1% of textile waste is recycled into new textile fibres. In the meantime, clothing brands set ambitious targets for the use of recycled fibres in their products. Unfortunately their quality as well as the price tag of current recycling processes are not aligned with market needs/demand. SCIRT aims to bridge this supply-demand gap by developing and demonstrating an entire textile-to-textile recycling system for post-consumer textiles. Starting from the demand side needs, SCIRT focuses on the recycling of natural and synthetic fibres, as well as fibre blends. This by involving all relevant players along the recycling value chain, from collector to retailer. By focusing on the recycling of textiles that are often downcycled today, value retention is improved throughout the value chain. Not only will the business case for individual actors be validated, also the overall system implications will be quantified from a financial, environmental and social life-cycle perspective. Besides the technological innovations required, SCIRT addresses enabling conditions and supporting measures facilitating the transition towards a circular system for apparel. A True Cost Model will be developed and an eco-modulated EPR system will be set up, aiming at increased value chain transparency. Special attention is given to this consumer perspective. A consumer behavioural flow intervention will be developed to impact their decision making on the purchase and disposal of textiles. Throughout the project, significant attention will be paid to stakeholder involvement and validation via an advisory board.
Circular economy Textiles Ecodesign, Life Cycle Analysis Technological innovation Waste recycling
Publikationen
Project staff
Michaela Preßnig
Mag. Dr. Michaela Preßnig
michaela.pressnig@boku.ac.at
BOKU Project Leader
01.06.2021 - 08.06.2021
Project Staff
01.01.2024 - 31.05.2024
Felice Quartinello
Dr.nat.techn. Felice Quartinello MSc.
felice.quartinello@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97488
BOKU Project Leader
09.06.2021 - 31.05.2024
Filippo Fabbri
Filippo Fabbri MSc.
filippo.fabbri@students.boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.06.2021 - 31.05.2024
Georg Gübitz
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Georg Gübitz
guebitz@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97001, 97402
Project Staff
01.06.2021 - 31.05.2024
Sophia Mihalyi
Dipl.-Ing. Sophia Mihalyi
sophia.mihalyi@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.10.2021 - 31.05.2024
BOKU partners
External partners
VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V
Evelien Dils
partner