Journal of Textile Science & Engineering

Reusing and Reprocessing Textiles Effects on the Atmosphere

Abstract

May Kahoush*

This paper provides a summary of the current knowledge and highlights areas for additional research by reviewing studies on the environmental impact of textile recycling and reuse. A total of 41 studies were examined, with recycling being the focus of 85% and reuse being the focus of 41%. The most researched recycling method is fiber recycling, followed by polymer/oligomer recycling monomer recycling and fabric recycling. Polyester (63%) and cotton (76%) are the most researched materials. Claims that textile reuse and recycling have a lower impact on the environment than incineration and landfilling, as well as that reuse is more beneficial than recycling, are supported by the reviewed publications. The investigations do, nonetheless, uncover situations under which reuse and reusing are not valuable for specific ecological effects. Benefits, for instance, may not be realized in situations with low replacement rates or if the avoided production processes are relatively clean because benefits primarily result from the avoidance of new product production. Additionally, if the use phase is not sufficiently extended, induced customer transport may have an impact on the environment that is greater than the benefits of avoiding production for reuse. When it comes to critical methodological assumptions, authors typically make the assumption that textile that are sent to recycling are wastes that do not pose a threat to the environment and that products made from recycled materials and products that have been reused can take the place of products made from virgin fibers. Other examples of content mapped in the review include: patterns of distributions over the long run, normal points and topographical extensions, ordinarily included and discarded influence classifications, accessible wellsprings of essential stock information, information holes and future exploration needs. The latter include the requirement to investigate cascade systems in order to investigate the possibility of combining various recycling and reuse methods.