Rabia Shahab’s Post

Why Recycling Fast Fashion Isn’t the Solution: An Industry on the Brink Europe’s Textile Crisis Shows the Limits of Recycling in the Age of Ultra-Fast Fashion Recycling is a key component for achieving a sustainable fashion industry, yet the rise of fast and ultra-fast fashion has pushed Europe’s textile recycling sector to the breaking point. In fact, a harsh truth has emerged: recycling low-cost, mass-produced garments is often both economically and environmentally unfeasible. Recently, the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) and Municipal Waste Europe (MWE) have issued an urgent call for financial and legislative support. Specifically, they warned that the current structure of fast fashion renders much of the textile waste essentially “unrecyclable.” Ultra-fast fashion relies on cheaply produced, low-quality materials, which often combine synthetic and natural fibres. These blends complicate recycling, as separating materials is time-intensive and costly. Most concerning is the sheer volume of waste generated by the fast fashion industry, which overwhelms recycling facilities. At the same time, low-quality textiles degrade quickly, making them unsuitable for reuse. This unsustainable model has led to a crisis, with EU textile exports plummeting and warehouses overflowing with unsellable items that may soon face incineration. Read more on the blog: https://lnkd.in/dHXuxpGc

The Future of Textile Recycling Recycled textiles are transforming fashion by promoting sustainability and circular economy practices. The growth of recycled textiles is driven by increasing awareness of environmental impact and demand for sustainable fashion solutions. Get PDF: https://lnkd.in/dyg2AN6i Recycled textile is obtained through recycling and recovering of old clothing and waste fibrous materials through several treatments. Recyclable textiles are mostly found in municipal waste from sources such as old or discarded clothes, tires, footwear, carpets, furniture, and non-durable goods such as sheets and towels. The use of recycled textiles reduces pressure on virgin resources such as wool & cotton, pollution, and water & energy consumption. #Recycledtextiles #SustainableFashion #textiles #material #environmentfriendly

Ever wondered where your clothes go to die? I don’t need to tell you, but you already understand the colossal environmental impact of the fashion industry. From the water and energy consumption involved in textile manufacturing to the short life cycle of clothes driven by trends, seasons, consumer behaviour, and social media, we’re seeing landfills fill up with fabric waste at an alarming rate. But in a world of fast fashion, overproduction and fabric waste, what if we looked into fabric recycling? At Neptune Recyclers we have been working on this for more than half a decade with the industry. But your next question would be, "Can these recycled materials be used in production again?" Yes! For now, the industry takes on a % of recycled fabric and incorporates it with virgin yarn into new textiles. This is why you would see a "70% composition of recycled material" in your shoes or clothing. It's a small step, but we are getting there by recovering a significant portion of fabric going into incineration, creating value for them through recycling, putting them back into the economy and giving it a new lease of life. And the good news is that sustainable fashion can start with the consumer. So the next time you shop - check the label, and before you toss out old clothing, see if it can be passed on to someone who might benefit from it first! #SustainableFashion #CircularEconomy #TextileRecycling

🌿 Elevate Your Denim Collection with Best Denim's GRS-Certified Fabrics! 👖 At Best Denim, we're proud to offer Global Recycled Standard (GRS)-certified denim, ensuring sustainability and quality from yarn production to the final fabric. Here's why choosing GRS-certified denim is a game-changer: Why Choose GRS-Certified Denim? Resource Conservation: Utilizing recycled materials reduces the demand for virgin resources, conserving water and energy. Traditional denim production consumes significant resources, whereas recycled denim minimizes this impact. Waste Reduction: By repurposing post-consumer and industrial textile waste, we divert substantial amounts of denim from landfills, promoting a circular economy. Chemical Safety: GRS certification enforces stringent chemical restrictions, ensuring that harmful substances are avoided in production, protecting both consumers and the environment. Best Denim's Commitment to Sustainability Our GRS certification verifies that our denim meets rigorous standards for recycled content, social responsibility, and environmental practices. From yarn manufacturing to the final fabric, we ensure full traceability of the recycled materials used, providing transparency and trust in our products. Join Leading Brands in Sustainable Fashion International retailers like Kings of Indigo incorporate GRS-certified materials into their collections, with 20% of their denim apparel made from 100% GRS-certified recycled materials. Partner with Best Denim for a Sustainable Future By choosing our GRS-certified denim fabrics, you're aligning with global standards of sustainability and quality. Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and the fashion industry. #SustainableFashion #GRSCertified #RecycledDenim #EcoFriendly #CircularEconomy #EthicalManufacturing #BestDenim #SustainableTextiles #GreenFashion #DenimInnovation #ResponsibleProduction #ClimateAction #EcoConscious #SustainableLiving #RecyclingForGood #FashionForFuture

Transforming Waste into Wardrobe Wonders with Recycled Polyester & Recycled Nylon 🌍✨ Recycled Polyester and Recycled Nylon are more than just textiles; they are testaments to innovation. 🔄 Made by melting down existing plastic — think bottles and fishing nets — and re-spinning this material into new fibers, these fabrics are the alchemy of turning the discarded into the desirable. These sustainable fabrics match the strength and comfort of virgin polyester and nylon, yet they tell a story of responsibility and care for our planet. 🌱💚 These materials are not just light and durable; they are a canvas for change, widely adopted by women's wear suppliers and famous brands in clothing, luggage, and accessories. Imagine if every thread in the fabric of our lives supported the health of our Earth. 🤔 What item in your closet would you most like to see transitioned to recycled materials? #Recycled #Polyester #Recycled #Nylon #Sustainable #Textiles #Eco #Friendly #Fashion #Sustainability #Textile #Eco #Innovation #Fashion #Revolution #EthicalFashion #Sustainable #Materials #EcoWear #Sustainable #Development

Transforming Waste into Wardrobe Wonders with Recycled Polyester & Recycled Nylon 🌍✨ Recycled Polyester and Recycled Nylon are more than just textiles; they are testaments to innovation. 🔄 Made by melting down existing plastic — think bottles and fishing nets — and re-spinning this material into new fibers, these fabrics are the alchemy of turning the discarded into the desirable. These sustainable fabrics match the strength and comfort of virgin polyester and nylon, yet they tell a story of responsibility and care for our planet. 🌱💚 These materials are not just light and durable; they are a canvas for change, widely adopted by women's wear suppliers and famous brands in clothing, luggage, and accessories. Imagine if every thread in the fabric of our lives supported the health of our Earth. 🤔 What item in your closet would you most like to see transitioned to recycled materials? #Recycled #Polyester #Recycled #Nylon #Sustainable #Textiles #Eco #Friendly #Fashion #Sustainability #Textile #Eco #Innovation #Fashion #Revolution #EthicalFashion #Sustainable #Materials #EcoWear #Sustainable #Development

A super important take on #textilerecycling particularly in wake of the recent law passed in California that mandates fashion brands to take back their garments in order to prevent textile waste. However, it is well documented that even brands that do takebacks are only able to successfully recycle only 1% of the total volume with the remaining 99% being incinerated or conveniently shipped of the Global South, transferring the problem onto countries that have enough problems of their own without having to manage the Global North's "waste" EPR regulations cannot just start and stop and take-back programmes, it is equally important to invest in upcycling or recycling technologies that are focused on keeping materials longer in use and reuse. Mechanical recycling is a form of downcycling which doesn't lend itself to circularity and chemical recycling is too nascent to be able to make any real dent, not to mention the chemicals used and water inputs that might lead to more harm than good. Ultimately of course, the real goal that all stakeholders need to be unified towards is an overall reduction in production, supply and consumption. Brands are running out of time and have to start thinking more creatively about alternative business models that can support a more reasonable and sustainable business growth while encouraging consumers to approach fashion and styling through recommerce, repairs or customisation, to name a few. REDUCE >>> REUSE >> RECYCLE Read the full article here - https://lnkd.in/deFwbF6N #sustainablefashion #circulareconomy #longerinuse #reducereuserecycle

🌍✨ Sustainability Spotlight: 5 Circular Fashion Innovators 🌱 From runway to recycling, a number of innovative Australian brands are reshaping the fashion landscape for positive impact. Here are 5 local circular fashion brands doing sustainability with style. 1. Citizen Wolf: 🧵 Embracing the principles of zero waste, Citizen Wolf crafts custom-fit t-shirts from organic cotton. 🌐 Their AI powered made-to-order approach minimises fabric waste while maximising style and comfort. https://lnkd.in/gM6v5zWG 2. Dempstah: ♻️ Dempstah transforms Australian textile waste from homes and op shops into spun yarn through collaborations with both local and international textile mills. Their mission is to ensure traceability of waste and establish fiber recovery facilities, particularly in North West Tasmania, laying the groundwork for Australia's inaugural textile-to-textile recycling facility. https://dempstah.com.au/ 3. RCYCL: 🌿 Founded in the aftermath of Australia's devastating 2019/20 bushfires, RCYCL emerged from Belinda Paul's desire to combat the looming threats of global warming and pollution. Offering a straightforward solution for direct-to-consumer clothing recycling, RCYCL streamlines the process with a simple 3-step system, allowing individuals to easily recycle their unwanted garments. https://rcycl.com.au 4. Outland Denim: 🌿 Outland Denim pioneers ethical and sustainable denim manufacturing, prioritising fair wages and environmentally-friendly practices. 🌍 Each pair of jeans tells a story of empowerment and positive change. Explore their denim journey. https://lnkd.in/gBENX4V 5. The Very Good Bra: 🍃 Inspired by her journey through breast cancer treatment and the quest for comfortable, wire-free bras, Stephanie Devine founded The Very Good Bra. This pioneering brand introduces the world's first 100% compostable botanically circular bra, designed to decompose within three to six months in compost or eight weeks in a worm farm. https://lnkd.in/gtSr2frg By supporting circular brands like these, consumers have the power to drive positive change in the fashion industry. Together, we can redefine fashion as a force for good. 🌍💚 #SustainabilitySpotlight #CircularFashion #FashionWithImpact

Tackling Sustainable Trim Sourcing in Clothing 🌍 When it comes to creating truly sustainable garments, it’s not just about the fabric—we must also consider the trims. From thread to zippers, buttons, elastic, and fusings, every detail matters in the journey toward a more eco-friendly fashion industry. Here’s how you can make better choices: Sustainable Thread: Choose organic cotton or recycled polyester threads. These options reduce environmental impact and maintain the strength and durability needed for quality garments. Avoid conventional polyester threads, as they are derived from petroleum and are non-biodegradable. Eco-Friendly Zippers: Opt for zippers made from recycled materials or those with biodegradable components. Brands like YKK now offer sustainable zipper options, moving away from conventional plastic zippers that contribute to pollution. Natural Buttons: Consider buttons made from materials like wood, coconut shell, or recycled materials. These options are not only sustainable but also add a unique, natural touch to your designs. Avoid plastic buttons, which are harmful to the environment. Organic Elastic: Sourcing elastic made from organic cotton or natural rubber is a great way to reduce the environmental footprint of your garments. Conventional elastic often contains synthetic materials that are not biodegradable. Sustainable Fusings: Look for fusings made from natural or recycled fibers. These alternatives are kinder to the planet compared to traditional fusings, which are typically synthetic and contribute to waste. What to Move Away From: Plastic-Based Trims: Trims made from non-recycled plastics, such as buttons, zippers, and fusings, should be avoided due to their long-lasting negative impact on the environment. Synthetic Elastics and Fusings: These are often petroleum-based and non-biodegradable, making them less ideal for sustainable fashion. Conventional Polyester Threads: As they are derived from fossil fuels and are not biodegradable, it's better to choose recycled or organic alternatives. By carefully selecting sustainable trims, you not only reduce your environmental impact but also elevate the quality and ethical value of your garments. Let’s make every detail count and continue to push the boundaries of what sustainable fashion can achieve. 🌱 #SustainableFashion #EcoFriendlyTrims #SustainableTrims #FashionIndustry #ConsciousFashion #SustainableDesign #CircularFashion #EcoInnovation