Consistent policies, investments in technology, and cross-regional collaboration could help Europe transform textile waste into a valuable resource, paving the way for a sustainable and circular textile future, says a new paper on the Regions for Green Textiles or RegioGreenTex project.
- The paper — ‘Waste stream analysis and recycled textile classification - Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument’ — published by Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), outlines the development of a framework for classifying textiles for recycling which is central to establishing efficient and regionally adaptable waste channelling models.
- The paper contends that an important first step in this direction would be to connect companies and initiatives already in place to enhance exchange of business and potential for upscale of circular businesses.
- In this task, the implementation of a waste channelling model, built on the framework of post-consumer textile waste developed in CISUTAC, connected to the gap analysis and the taxonomy of RegioGreenTex, and integrated to fit the needs of the RegioGreenTex regions was developed.
- In the long run, clearer regulations and incentives are required to streamline waste management and encourage sustainable practices, throughout the textile value chain.
- A key achievement of the RegioGreenTex project is the integration of sorting criteria into the RegioGreenTex Digital Tool, an interactive platform designed to support matchmaking among stakeholders.
- The Waste Solutions Finder, a core feature of this tool, connects textile waste sources with appropriate recycling and reuse opportunities, fostering collaborations and bridging gaps in regional and interregional value chains.
- It facilitates business to business exchange and a way to start harmonising channelling of textile waste at present. At the same time, potentially new business opportunities can be identified where matches are currently not available.
NEXT STEPS: Different digital solutions from the project are being integrated, building upon the learnings from the work presented in this deliverable.
- AI integration will be explored in a pre-study of the state-of-the-art in AI modelling using technology experts within this field.
- As a support to the developed digital solution, a document in form of a guide is being developed.
- The Textile Waste Channelling Guide is a handbook with the aim to further facilitate learnings and harmonisation for stakeholders working with textile circularity.
THE REGIOGREENTEX PROJECT addresses the critical challenge of managing textile waste streams across Europe, focusing on advancing circularity and sustainability in the textile sector. This deliverable outlines the development of a framework for classifying textiles for recycling, which is central to establishing efficient and regionally adaptable waste channelling models.
- Within RegioGreenTex, textile waste streams from various regions were systematically analysed, leveraging insights from workshops and stakeholder collaborations. This approach enables the identification of region-specific needs and capabilities, facilitating the alignment of waste channelling practices with local realities.
- A streamlined decision-making framework has been developed, simplifying sorting parameters based on current capacities and practical applicability.
- Co-funded by the European Union, the report was brought out by RISE along with Wageningen University and Research and CS-Pointex.
