RECYCLING 101 WITH ROSS

1. How do clothes get recycled?

Textile recycling has a long history, traditionally done through mechanical processes. Clothes are first sorted by material type—like cotton, wool, or blends—and fabric structure, whether woven or knitted. These materials are then pulled back into fibres, which can sometimes be blended with new fibres to create yarn for new fabrics. However, if the fibres are too short for quality yarn, they're often turned into non-woven pads used in products like carpet underlay, furniture filling, or vehicle sound insulation.

Recently, advancements in chemical recycling have emerged, especially for cotton. This process breaks down the fabric into fibres using chemicals, similar to how waste paper is pulped, since cotton is cellulose-based like wood. The recycled fibres can then be spun into new viscose fabric. For polyester, the recycling process resembles that of plastic bottles, where the material is broken down into its polymer form and then extruded to create new fibres.

2. What types of clothing and textiles can be recycled through Reskinned's takeback scheme?

At Reskinned, our priority is to find a reuse market for every garment we receive. However, when an item is too worn out for reuse, we explore recycling options. The challenge lies in the complexity of fabric blends; some materials, like activewear made of polyester and elastane blends, are particularly tough to recycle. For these, we shred the fabric into small pieces that are then used as filler for items like punch bags, yoga cushions, or dog beds filling.

3. How does Reskinned's textile recycling process work?

When we receive items through our takeback scheme, each garment is carefully graded for reuse. If an item doesn't meet our reuse standards due to marks, stains, irreparable damage, or loss of shape, it's categorised for recycling. The recycling process depends on the material type and composition and current market conditions. Unfortunately, the recycling market is much smaller than the volume of clothing in circulation. However, with increasing legislation on recycled content and consumer demand for circular business models, we hope to see significant growth and investment in textile recycling infrastructure.

4. Are socks and underwear recyclable?

Yes! While second-hand underwear might not be appealing to everyone, these items can still be recycled. Socks, often made from wool or cotton, can be mechanically recycled, and cotton or polyester underwear can also be recycled. Bras, however, present a unique challenge due to their mixed materials and components, such as underwires, which require specialised processes to separate. Currently, there isn't a large-scale commercial solution for recycling bras, but we’re always on the lookout for innovations in this area.

5. What do you do with old buttons and zips?

On an industrial scale, things like buttons and zips are known as disruptors and are removed. This is done by shredding the clothing and then running them over a magnet to capture any metal objects or using vibration plates to separate plastics. Here at Reskinned we take a different approach. Many of our buttons and zips find a new purpose in our repair room, where our repair specialist, Lizzie, salvages usable parts from clothes destined for recycling and reuses them in repairs. Metal zips and buttons that can't be reused are sent for scrap, while plastic ones are recycled. Our goal is to ensure that as much of each garment as possible gets a second life.

6. How has textile recycling changed over the years?

Textile recycling has been slow to evolve, largely because it's historically been cheaper to produce new materials than to recycle old ones. However, as awareness of the environmental impact of textiles has grown, especially following the focus on plastic pollution, interest in textile recycling has surged. Innovations like chemical recycling are becoming more prevalent.

Early on, fabric identification was often done by touch or expensive lab tests, but now, companies like Matoha offer affordable, easy-to-use fabric identification tools. The future promises even more advancements, such as product passports for garments that will make recycling easier and more efficient. The industry is changing, and within the next five years, we hope to see a much more robust and accessible textile recycling system.

7. Why is textile recycling important for the environment?

Textile recycling is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry. According to research, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. By recycling textiles, we prevent them from ending up in landfills, where they contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling also reduces the need for virgin materials, which lowers the energy and water consumption associated with producing new fabrics. In a world where over 92 million tonnes of textiles end up in landfills each year, recycling is a key step towards a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.

Well, there you have it - everything you need to know about textile recycling, straight from the expert! From the nitty-gritty of how fabrics are broken down to the exciting innovations that are shaping the future of the industry, we hope this deep dive has answered your questions and maybe even sparked some new ideas.

Want to get involved in creating a more sustainable fashion future? Shop pre-loved from your favourite brands here, or send us your old clothes via our takeback scheme and we’ll give you a reward voucher to spend at one of your favourite brands.