Circular Economy

Here's how textile recycling can create jobs and reduce pollution

Textile recycling can help to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

Textile recycling can help to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Image: Unsplash/Francois Le Nguyen

Linnea Harris
Reporter, EcoWatch
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A textile recycling and sorting center in Belgium.
A textile recycling and sorting center in Belgium. Image: ERIC LALMAND / BELGA MAG / AFP via Getty Images

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Women search for used clothes amid tons discarded in the Atacama desert, in Alto Hospicio, Iquique, Chile.
Women search for used clothes amid tons discarded in the Atacama desert, in Alto Hospicio, Iquique, Chile. Image: MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images

Recycled fabrics at Fabscrap’s warehouse in New York. The company provides pickup of fabric scraps from commercial businesses, including fashion brands, interior designers, cutting rooms, tailors, costume and set designers, and schools.
Recycled fabrics at Fabscrap’s warehouse in New York. The company provides pickup of fabric scraps from commercial businesses, including fashion brands, interior designers, cutting rooms, tailors, costume and set designers, and schools. Image: DON EMMERT / AFP via Getty Images
Ecologic yarns made of used clothes, at the Ecotex factory in Santiago, Chile.
Ecologic yarns made of used clothes, at the Ecotex factory in Santiago, Chile. Image: MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images
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Clothes recycling containers in Queens, New York City.
Clothes recycling containers in Queens, New York City. Image: Zoran Milich / Getty Images

Le Relais textile recycling center in Bordeaux, western France is a worker cooperative dedicated to collection, re-employment and recycling of textiles.
Le Relais textile recycling center in Bordeaux, western France is a worker cooperative dedicated to collection, re-employment and recycling of textiles. Image: GEORGES GOBET / AFP via Getty Images
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Circular EconomyFuture of WorkEmerging TechnologiesFuture of the Environment
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