Waste Management Methods in the Textile Industry! 

Sustainability is becoming the new drive for growth. Each industry is contributing towards a sustainable future. The management of industrial waste stands as a huge challenge for all major industries. Textile industry is not immune to the issue. This blog illustrates methods of waste management in textile industry. 

Regeneration

Recycled fibres can be used to make various items like cleansing cloths, new yarns, mattresses, and wadding. Another method involves regenerating fibres from natural sources with heat and chemicals. Notable brands like Tencel, Lyocell, and Seacell produce textile fibres from wood. The process involves chopping trees into small pieces, treating them with chemicals, and applying high temperatures and pressure to create threads. These threads are then used to make durable fabrics.

Composting

The growing awareness of the harmful effects of certain materials has opened up significant opportunities. A socially conscious zero waste fashion brand is ready to explore biodegradable and compostable textiles. Certain products are now being designed to decompose naturally at the end of their life cycle. Non-woven materials and disposable items are becoming increasingly popular. It would be beneficial for the industry to focus on researching materials made entirely from natural sources that can fully break down when disposed of in landfills. This approach can be applied to both natural and regenerated fibres. 

Biodegradable polymers are now available on the market. PLA is a polymer derived from corn. It has inherent antimicrobial properties. It can be enhanced for use in medical textiles. When discarded, PLA fabrics are compostable and degradable. Additionally, various studies are exploring ways to convert chemical-free post-industrial waste into compost, which can then be used as bio-manure for plants. Effective microorganisms can be introduced to fortify this compost, enriching the soil, plants, and water bodies.

Textiles with technical applications

Textiles used to be made first and then tested to see if they were suitable for their intended use. If they passed the tests, they were turned into the final product. Now, the process has changed. The selection of fibres, the qualities of yarn, and the finishing touches are all chosen and applied based on the needs of the final product. Technological textiles, or Technitex, are now seen as a large banyan tree. All the different application areas are connected to the main trunk. Recycled fabrics are now used for filtering.

Conclusion

The waste management in textile industry is a crucial process. This is a major reason why most of the textile brands are establishing themselves as a zero waste fashion brand.