Fashion for Good unveils US textile waste study
Fashion for Good, a leading advocate for sustainable fashion, has released a report on textile waste in the US. ‘The Sorting for Circularity USA Project’ is the first of its kind, providing crucial data on consumer behavior, textile waste composition, and the potential for textile recycling in the US.
A nation of textile waste
The US is a major consumer of textiles, and unfortunately, a major generator of textile waste. Despite being a potential source of valuable recycled materials, a staggering 85 per cent of textiles in the US end up in landfills or incinerators. This report comes at a critical time, as both the EU and some US states are implementing policies to promote textile recycling.
The Sorting for Circularity project bridges the gap between consumer behavior, textile waste generation, and available recycling technologies. The goal is to create a system where all textiles are effectively utilized, minimizing waste.
Two critical areas lacked data: consumer disposal habits and the material composition of used textiles. The project addressed this through a national consumer survey and waste composition analysis.
Key findings
Consumer behavior: 60 per cent of respondents divert textiles through donation or resale, while only 4 per cent discard them. Condition and fit are the primary factors influencing disposal decisions.
Textile composition: Over 56 per cent of used textiles are suitable for fiber-to-fiber recycling, with cotton and polyester being the most common fiber types. This indicates significant potential for recycling these textiles.
A $1.5 billion opportunity
The project estimates a $1.5 billion opportunity for textile recycling in the US. The report outlines strategies for growth, including improved efficiency, increased commodity valuation, and policies like extended producer responsibility. Collaboration among stakeholders, from brands to consumers, is crucial to drive investment, innovation, and supportive policies.
The project highlights the need to assess sorting business models and technologies to create a closed-loop textile recycling facility. Evaluating the feasibility of semi-automated sorting and identifying investment opportunities are key next steps.
About sorting for circularity
Launched in January 2023 by Fashion for Good and RRS, the Sorting for Circularity USA Project is a groundbreaking initiative. As the first of its kind in the US, it aims to provide crucial data to support strategic decision-making and propel the fashion value chain towards a more circular model.
The project unites a consortium of stakeholders. Fashion for Good brand partners include adidas, Inditex, Target, and Levi Strauss & Co. External partners include H&M Group, lululemon, Eastman, Nordstrom, and the New York State Center for Sustainable Materials Management (NYS CSMM). Key project implementation partners encompass the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) Association, Goodwill Industries International, Helpsy, several Goodwill affiliates