The fashion and textile industries create about 10% of the world's landfill waste.
Most of this waste comes from clothes made of artificial materials like polyester, spandex, and nylon, which are difficult to recycle and shed harmful microplastics into the environment.
Mixing these materials with natural fibers like cotton or wool makes the recycling process nearly impossible.
New Recycling Method
At the University of Delaware, chemical engineer Erha Andini and her team have found a promising solution.
They have created a process that uses a special solvent to break down polyester and nylon fibers. This separates the artificial fibers from natural ones, making it easier to recycle both types.
Their study on this method was published in Science Advances.
“We need a better way to recycle modern garments that are complex because we are never going to stop buying clothes,” Andini told MIT’s Tech Review.
“We are looking to create a closed-loop system for textile recycling.”
How It Works
The process uses microwave energy to activate the solvent, making it cheaper and more energy-efficient.
But there are still challenges. Some recycled artificial fibers come out too damaged to use again, and the solvent is expensive.
Despite these issues, Andini is working hard to bring this method to market. She hopes to turn the separated fibers back into yarn to make new clothes.
“It’ll be a matter of getting the funding, but we’re excited about it,” she said.
