Scientists from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology have developed an innovative technology for recycling textile waste called chemical sorting. This approach separates polyester from textile waste, which is typically disposed of in mixed and contaminated form. The technology consumes less energy than traditional methods and does not require high temperatures. Additionally, a non-toxic, biodegradable compound is used to separate the polyester from the textile waste, enabling polyester reusability. This sustainable solution has the potential to achieve circularity in textile material recycling and reduce the amount of textile waste in landfills. The scalable technology could recycle up to 10,000 tons of waste annually. Polyester is a primary concern as it comprises over half of all tissues produced and is a material that is not currently sustainably recyclable.
Recycling Textile Waste: A Sustainable Technology Revolutionizing the Apparel Industry
A team of scientists from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), led by Youngmo Cho, has developed an innovative technology for recycling textile waste that could transform the apparel industry. The study, published in the American Chemical Society Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering journal, describes a technique called chemical sorting, which can separate polyester from textile waste that is disposed of in mixed and contaminated form.
The apparel industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, and in 2021, approximately 113 million tons of fiber were produced, a number expected to increase in the coming years. Unfortunately, around 90% of the waste associated with clothing is disposed of in landfills or by incineration, posing a severe threat to the environment and human health. Synthetic fibers like polyester, which make up over half of all tissues currently produced, are particularly problematic.
The chemical sorting process developed by the KRICT team uses a chemical compound that selectively interrupts the chemical reaction between polyester and various dyes. The technique consumes less energy than traditional methods and requires lower temperatures, making it more efficient and sustainable. Additionally, the researchers used a non-toxic, biodegradable compound to chemically separate the polyester from the textile waste, making polyester reusability possible.
The technology’s scalability is currently under development, and the pilot plant is expected to be ready by the end of 2024, with commercial operation beginning the following year. The technology could recycle up to 10,000 tons of waste annually and has the potential to achieve circularity in the recycling of textile materials. Zhou states that the technology is not limited by the complexity of constituent materials or the level of impurities in the waste, thus reducing the amount of textile waste in landfills and promoting a circular economy in the plastics and textile industries.
In conclusion, the innovative technology for recycling textile waste developed by the KRICT team is a sustainable revolution in the apparel industry. The chemical sorting process offers a promising solution to the challenges posed by textile waste, which threatens the environment and human health. The scalability of the technology, combined with the low energy consumption and reduced temperatures required for the process, makes it an efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional methods of textile waste disposal.
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