The problem with recycling clothes and textiles [View all]
Analysis: the vast majority of textiles are made from blends of different fibres and use different chemicals so proper recycling is complex
In today's society, textiles are everywhere, from your clothes and curtains to your shoes and sandals, from household furniture and vehicle interiors to blankets, bags and much more. There is a staggering volume of textiles produced and consumed globally each year: over 100 million tonnes annually, almost the entirety of which will end up being landfilled or incinerated at the end of their lifetimes.
The story in Ireland
A recent report summarises the current state of textile consumption and disposal in Ireland. We are one of the biggest per capita consumers of textiles in Europe. At 53kg per person per year, we are well above the European average of 26kg per person and projected to rise higher still going forward. This adds up to over 300 thousand tonnes of textiles consumed in 2019 in Ireland alone.
Roughly two-thirds of textile waste generated here is simply disposed of, with the remaining third either being reused (the majority exported to the third world for resale) or down-cycled (remade into single-use and unrecyclable items). Ultimately, this "recycled" fraction will largely be disposed of in the same manner as the rest: by landfilling or incineration.
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/0127/1276196-recycling-clothes-textiles-fabrics-chemicals/
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