The production of textile fibres is extremely water, land, energy and chemical intensive and relies heavily on finite resources.
To enable our increasing consumption habits, global textile fibre production has risen to ±90 million tonnes per year (the equivalent of ±80 billion garments per year) (Source). According to the report 'Sustainable Textiles for Apparel: Fact, Fiction and Future Prospects', a doubling in the number of consumers and an 84% hike in demand for textile fibres over the next 20 years will stretch resources to their breaking point (Source). This level of production is both economically unstable and ecologically unsustainable.
Today, 20 million tonnes of textiles are being landfilled or incinerated every year in the EU and US alone. An estimated 95% of all these textiles, could be re-worn or recycled (Source). The challenge is how can we curb virgin fibre production and utilise textile waste?
In 2015, ReBlend joined Circle Economy’s member community to take their project to the next level, and push the potential of mixed post-consumer recycling. As a pioneering, Dutch circular fashion and textiles agency, Reblend’s mission is to show the world that mixed post-consumer textiles can be recycled into new high quality products, thereby making the case for closed loop textiles.
Recycling is focused on pure materials (100% cotton, wool or polyester). What we wear is mostly a blend of materials. It is easy to see that this creates a huge gap between theory and reality!
- Anita de Wit, Reblend
Leveraging untapped ‘waste’ streams to create new textiles on a large scale would enable a drastic reduction in the need for virgin textile resources and significantly reduce the negative impacts associated with virgin cotton fibre production and textile waste.
High value or textile-to-textile recycling enables leftover textile fabrics or garments that are no longer in use to be redirected back into the textiles loop as recycled raw materials, to create circular fashion.
The ultimate aim of this collaboration between, Reblend, Circle Economy, and and Recover, was to demonstrate to the market that, through high-value recycling, post-consumer textile waste (>70%) can be transformed into high-quality, beautiful and unique textile products, with a minimal environmental impact!
In this project, almost 7 tonnes of post consumer garments were processed to produce 6 tonnes of new 100% recycled yarns. Four different colour yarns were made with 70% recycled post consumer garments and and 30% RPET.
Circle Economy performed a Life Cycle Assessment on one of the recycled yarns (White Cream) to asses the environmental impact savings associated with producing ReBlend’s 100% recycled yarns. The analysis shows a decrease in energy use by 33%, a reduction in water consumption by 62%, and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 18%, in comparison with virgin yarn of similar composition.
[cta link="http://circle-economy.com/high_value_reuse_textile_recycling" ]Read the full report[/cta]
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Our Circle Textiles Program has a unique focus on end-of life and whole-systems redesign. The ultimate goal of the program is to achieve a zero-waste industry, by developing and establishing a commercial and scalable model for closing the loop on post-industrial, pre-consumer and post-consumer textiles. We collaborate closely with members of our member network and our community of collectors, sorters, recyclers, brands and cities to develop groundbreaking pilot projects, that can create best practices for the future.
To learn more about how your company can become a member of the Circle Textiles community contact us!
[cta link="mailto:Annerieke@circle-economy.com" ]Contact us[/cta]
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The production of textile fibres is extremely water, land, energy and chemical intensive and relies heavily on finite resources.
To enable our increasing consumption habits, global textile fibre production has risen to ±90 million tonnes per year (the equivalent of ±80 billion garments per year) (Source). According to the report 'Sustainable Textiles for Apparel: Fact, Fiction and Future Prospects', a doubling in the number of consumers and an 84% hike in demand for textile fibres over the next 20 years will stretch resources to their breaking point (Source). This level of production is both economically unstable and ecologically unsustainable.
Today, 20 million tonnes of textiles are being landfilled or incinerated every year in the EU and US alone. An estimated 95% of all these textiles, could be re-worn or recycled (Source). The challenge is how can we curb virgin fibre production and utilise textile waste?
In 2016, Circle Economy partnered with Salvation Army ReShare and Recover to explore how used workwear from the Dutch military could be given a second life.
“Ultimately, old uniforms, workwear and other used textiles should not go to waste but should be put back into the loop via high value (textile-to-textile) practises. We are happy that we can contribute positively to the circular movement in the textile sector through this partnership.”
– Michel Rosenquist, Manager relations at Salvation Army ReShare
Leveraging untapped ‘waste’ streams to create new textiles on a large scale would enable a drastic reduction in the need for virgin textile resources and significantly reduce the negative impacts associated with virgin cotton fibre production and textile waste.
High value or textile-to-textile recycling enables leftover textile fabrics or garments that are no longer in use to be redirected back into the textiles loop as recycled raw materials, to create circular fashion.
The ultimate aim of this strategic collaboration was to unpack the potential of workwear waste streams, and create commercially viable, high-quality products while at the same time achieving significant environmental savings.
In this project, several tons of old Dutch navy and army uniforms were successfully transformed into new yarns that were used to produce humanitarian aid blankets. The Life Cycle Assessment on the yarns made with 80% recycled military uniforms showed a reduction in water consumption by 87%, decreased energy use by 42% and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 33%, when compared to a non-recycled yarn.
[cta link="http://circle-economy.com/high_value_reuse_textile_recycling" ]Read the full report[/cta]
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Our Circle Textiles Program has a unique focus on end-of life and whole-systems redesign. The ultimate goal of the program is to achieve a zero-waste industry, by developing and establishing a commercial and scalable model for closing the loop on post-industrial, pre-consumer and post-consumer textiles. We collaborate closely with members of our member network and our community of collectors, sorters, recyclers, brands and cities to develop groundbreaking pilot projects, that can create best practices for the future.
To learn more about how your company can become a member of the Circle Textiles community contact us!
[cta link="mailto:Annerieke@circle-economy.com" ]Contact us[/cta]
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Proving the business and environmental case for the high value (textile-to-textile) recycling of denim.
In 2016, G-Star RAW joined Circle Economy to collaborate on creating a hands-on, business-driven approach to close the textiles loop. Together with Wieland Textiles and Recover, G-Star and Circle Economy started a pilot project to try and prove the business and environmental case for high value (textile-to-textile) recycling of denim.
The goal of the pilot project was to re-introduce denim goods returned to G-Star and create new denim fabrics that can compete with virgin cotton denim on price, quality, and aesthetics at a fraction of the environmental impact. In order to do this, G- Star selected one of their top selling denim fabrics and set out to incorporate recycled content in the making of that fabric. Their intent was to extend the future impact of this project beyond a single capsule collection and make recycled denim part of the sourcing strategy in the long term.
“We partnered with Circle Economy with the ambition to investigate further the potential for closed loop business models for G-Star. The Circle Economy assessment was critical for us because we wanted to understand the business case of high value recycling of G-Star returned inventory goods. As a result, we now have a better understanding of the process and can take informed decisions in closing the loop of these goods.”
- Frouke Bruinsma, Director Corporate Responsibility G-Star RAW
Results from this pilot show that at the present moment, recycled denim fabric has a price premium of 12.5% compared to its virgin equivalents. On the technical side, the pilot shows that a maximum of 30% recycled fibres could be used in the recycled yarn in order for it to retain the needed strength for weaving and finishing.
Additionally, the impact analysis that was performed shows that a recycled denim fabric with only 12% recycled content already has a much lower environmental impact than its virgin equivalent: water consumption can be reduced by 9,8%, energy consumption by 4,2% and CO2 emissions could be cut by 3,8%.
Our Circle Textiles Program has a unique focus on end-of-life and whole-systems redesign. The ultimate goal of the program is to achieve a zero-waste industry, by developing and establishing a commercial and scalable model for closing the loop on post-industrial, pre-consumer and post-consumer textiles. We collaborate closely with members of our member network and our community of collectors, sorters, recyclers, brands and cities to develop groundbreaking pilot projects, that can create best practices for the future.
To learn more about how your company can become a member of the Circle Textiles community contact us!
A transition to the circular economy is essential to fight climate change and achieve sustainable growth. Circle Economy, believes that cities play a pivotal role in adopting the circular economy and to create wellbeing for people and the planet. To ensure that policy makers and governments know how and where to implement the circular economy there is a need for practical tools to measure it. In light of this, Erasmus University and Circle Economy are spearheading the research to define the key jobs and skills that will play a role in the transition.
[cta link="http://www.circle-economy.com/Circular-Jobs" ]Read more (English)[/cta] [cta link="http://www.circle-economy.com/circulaire-banen" ]Read more (Dutch)[/cta]
Project Partners
Circle Economy is honoured to be a finalist for the 2017 Circulars in the category Governments, Cities and Regions!
Additionally our members, Fairphone (Young Global Leader Award for SME), Black Bear Carbon and CRS Holland (People's Choice Award) are joining us as finalists in their respective categories.
The Circulars is an initiative of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders. It is the world’s premier circular economy award, offering recognition to individuals and organisations, across the globe, that have made notable contributions to the circular economy in the private sector, public sector and society. The winners will be announced during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2017.
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[cta link="http://www.circle-economy.com/programs/" ]Circle Economy's Programs[/cta]
Ioniqa, HomeBiogas and Steama.co were finalists at this year's Dutch Postcode Lottery Green Challenge and have created unique technologies and business models that help to accelerate the circular economy. As new members of Circle Economy's member community, we are thrilled to be able to support and accelerate their journey.
The Dutch Postcode Lottery Green Challenge is the largest annual, international, green business plan competition. The first edition took place in 2007 and since then, sustainably-driven companies have been rewarded financially by the Dutch Postcode Lottery. Circle Economy has been supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery since 2013 and we know how important not only the financial impulse is, but also the endorsement of such a worldwide renowned organisation. We are thrilled that we are now in a position to be able to pay it forward. Read more about our three latest members below.Ioniqa - Infinite PET Recycling Ioniqa has launched a unique circular recycling process that can infinitely recycle all kinds of coloured PET bottles, textiles and carpets. The recycled materials can compete with oil-based 'virgin' PET, both in terms of cost and quality. Ioniqa Technologies is a Dutch, high tech, chemical company founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the Technical University Eindhoven. Ioniqa is currently upscaling their PET-recycling process in close cooperation with their industrial partners and testing the recyclability of other plastics with their patented 'platform technology'.Circle Economy is convinced that Ioniqa's unique, infinite, PET recycling technology will greatly contribute to tackling the issue PET poses worldwide.HomeBiogas - Fuel your stove, right from your own backyardHomeBiogas has developed and fielded the most efficient, affordable, user-friendly and cost effective household biogas system. Their appliance converts organic waste into clean cooking gas and liquid natural fertiliser, all while maintaining the highest safety and health standards. In the past year, this Israeli firm sold more than 300 systems and will now be mass producing the systems to be sold worldwide.Circle Economy sees HomeBiogas' technology as a valuable waste management resources that empowers citizens to generate their own bio-energy while playing a role in the reduction of greenhouse emissions.Steama.co - Connecting the world's most remote 1.3 billion people, who are not connected to power grids, pay a high cost to power their lives with kerosene lamps, batteries and generators. Many companies wish to serve this market, however they have no viable means to retail electricity in the remote, off-grid places where these people live. At the moment there are no internet connections, power purchase agreements or banking services available in these areas.Specially designed for off-grid utilities, steama.co's universal smart meter and data analytics platform enables retail electricity, even in the world's remotest locations. steama.co enables its clients to collect cash-less mobile payments conveniently, operate utility projects remotely, and communicate with consumers on their terms, from anywhere without needing an internet connection.Circle Economy believes that this British company will keep improving the lives of those living in the most remote areas in the world by reducing the digital gap through their retail electricity services.[hr]Our member community is an active group of businesses and institutions that have a shared ambition to make the circular economy a reality. As a member you will gain access to a powerful global network of change makers, thought leaders, peers, and stakeholders that share in our ambition to make the circular economy a reality.Are you a changemaker? Learn more about our global network of innovators by clicking the link below.[cta link="http://www.circle-economy.com/membership/" ]I'm a changemaker![/cta][hr]
On Friday the 11th of October, our Director of Programmes, Klaske Kruk, together with Dutch mayors, government officials, knowledge centres and businesses, signed the City Deal: Circular City during the Dutch National Summit on Circular Economy, organised by VNG (an association for Dutch Municipalities).
The City Deal's ambition is to move all participating cities towards circularity no later than 2050, an ambition echoed by the Dutch Government Wide Programme on the Circular Economy. The deal has now been signed by eight cities, but many more are eager to join. The signatories have agreed to first pinpoint the current barriers that stand in the way of successful implementation of circular projects. Once identified, they are committed to implementing concrete pilot projects and create a monitoring system to track each project’s progress and gain insights. A key to the success of their mission, the cities have agreed to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing between them, through the creation of living labs.The eight cities who have already signed the City Deal aim to become frontrunners within the circular economy space. The city of Amsterdam has already demonstrated its ambition by being the world's first municipality to perform Circle Economy's City Circle Scan in 2015. The scan provided the city with insights into how it can create impact, now, with the help of Circle Economy and local government agencies, research centres and businesses.With Circle Economy's experience in creating implementable, action plans for cities and regions, our Circle Cities Team will be able to play a pivotal role in making the City Deal a reality.
The City Deal: ‘Circulaire Stad’ (Circular City) is one pillar of a nation wide government programme focused on transitioning to a circular economy. This deal was co-initiated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Dutch national government, The European Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, several Dutch cities, social partners and businesses who are cooperating to stimulate healthy growth, liveability and innovation within Dutch and European cities. The City Deal: 'Circulaire Stad' has been signed by:
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The Circle Cities program identifies opportunities and aids in the creation of practical and scalable solutions to implement circular systems throughout a city. The programme developed the Circle Scan technique and several teaching and monitoring tools to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Interested in becoming a circular city?
[cta link="https://www.circle-economy.com/cities/" ]Tell me more[/cta]
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