The Process of Textile Recycling

Textile recycling refers to a process in which you recover previously used textiles to reuse them. This process has numerous benefits, such as reducing the number of landfills, conserving resources, and reducing pollution related to the production of new textiles. To make such benefits possible, one must complete several steps throughout the process of textile recycling. If you’re looking to learn more about the process of textile recycling, continue reading this simple step-by-step guide detailing both natural and synthetic textile recycling.

Natural textile recycling

The first step of the textile recycling process is collecting. During this step, professionals will collect old or unwanted textiles from pre- or post-user sources such as clothing drives, recycling companies, or public clothing bins.

Then, someone will sort the collected materials based on color and type of material. By sorting the textiles based on color, you don’t have to re-dye the recycled fabric. As a result, this conserves energy and reduces pollution that occurs during the textile dyeing process. In many cases, the sorting process happens manually. However, conveyor belts and automated sorting systems can also help expedite the process.

Upon completing the sorting process, textiles go into three different groups: reuse, rags, and fiber. Textiles that fall under the reuse or rags category will typically go to thrift shops or donated to those in need. Textiles that belong to the fiber category will continue in the textile recycling process until it becomes reduced to the fibrous material. To do so, experts will pull the material into fibers or shredded and then combine it with other fibers.

Next, the textiles undergo a carding process. During this process, manufacturers clean and mix the textiles. After the carding, one will re-spin the fibers and then weave or knit them into a recycled textile.

Synthetic textile recycling

After collecting polyester-based materials, it’s important to remove any zippers and buttons from the textiles. Then, it’s time to shred the textiles into small fabrics. The shredded textiles become granulated into polyester chips. Professionals then melt down such chips and create new fibers that professionals can use to create recycled polyester fabrics.

If you’re looking to start a textile recycling company, Crigler Enterprises Inc. has a wide variety of waste handling systems to help you begin. Our stock of new and used recycling equipment includes shredders, conveyors, collection systems, and other equipment that can help facilitate a smooth and efficient textile recycling process. For more information regarding our products, contact us today.