Canadian researchers have developed a new grading system that could help divert most clothing waste from landfills.
- Researchers at the University of Waterloo and Seneca College have outlined the new method to evaluate an item’s quality from A to F and whether it can be resold, recycled or tossed.
- In testing this method, they found that more than half of textile waste in Canada could be reused and almost a quarter could be recycled.
- Canadians trash about a billion pounds—nearly 500 million kilograms—of fashion and home items made of fabric each year.
- The study, 'Textile waste in Ontario, Canada: Opportunities for reuse and recycling', has been published in the Journal of Resources, Conservation and Recycling.
The Study: Canada does not have a standardised process for sorting textiles. The researchers used a broader definition of textile waste by recognising accessories, shoes and soft toys, in addition to clothing and home textiles.
- They also used a team of Waterloo and Seneca students and professionals from the fashion industry to sort the materials to ensure consistency in grading and proper evaluation of the item’s condition.
- A pair of ripped and stained jeans might receive a D grade and be flagged for repair before being donated and resold.
- The new comprehensive assessment delivers more data and insights into waste management and prevention.
- The study determined that items graded A to D made up more than half of our current waste stream, so could be resold or reused.
- This finding emphasises that there are many opportunities to divert textile waste in Canada, yielding massive benefits.
What They Said:
Fashion consumption is at an unparalleled high. Consumers buy, use and dispose of new garments, which end up in the landfill, and less than one per cent of the materials are recycled. This new method is an important step to curbing our waste.
— Olaf Weber
Research Chair and professor in School of Environment, Enterprise and Development
University of Waterloo
