Is Sweden Ready to Implement a Textile Recycling System?

Abstract: : It is problematic from an environmental point of view when consumers have damaged or worn out textiles and need to dispose of them (Domina and Koch, 2002). Domina and Koch (2002) explain that unwanted consumer textiles that are not suited for donation to charity organizations, are simply thrown into the trash. Textiles are nearly 100 percent recyclable and according to Hawley (2006), nothing in the textile and apparel industry consequently should be wasted. It will be a major positive impact on the environment if we can reduce the amounts of textile waste through recycling. In addition, recycling will reduce the emissions arising from new manufacturing by making use of existing resources (Naturvårdsverket, 2013). Recycling signifies any recovery operation by which waste materials are re-processed into products, materials or substances (Tojo., et al. 2012). It is an ecosystem-inspired design approach where all waste from one component of the system becomes food for another (Fletcher, 2008). There is currently no large scale recycling of textiles in Sweden, nor is there any major export for recycling of Swedish textiles (Palm, 2011). But Swedish producers and retailers have started to consider the value of re- establishing a recycling plant within the country (Tojo et al., 2012). The future market of the textile industry faces an inevitable challenge. It is important to find materials that could replace the large amount of cotton used today and find solutions on how to produce synthetic fiber without increasing the yield of oil (Sandow, 2012). In addition, Consequently, there might be a greater demand for recycled textile fibers in the future. However, the issue of the implementation of a textile recycling system in Sweden is complex with many aspects to take into account. The aim for this report was to explore the areas of research in textile recycling, and by dint of seven experts, determine whether or not Sweden should implement a textile recycling system, and how that should be done. The essential factors for implementing a textile recycling system in Sweden was concluded to be: environmentally sustainable growth, better technology and chemistry, consumer responsibility, producer responsibility, supply of textiles for recycling, demand for recycled fibers, facilitating the voluntary organizations (optimizing reuse), pricing and profitability, sustainable and economical logistics, supporting policies, sustainable products that are easy to recycle, global collaborations. It was concluded that Sweden should implement a textile recycling system. The initial phase of the system (within ten years) should be to establish collecting arrangement for textiles in all conditions. The discarded textiles should be sorted in Sweden and exported for recycling. If the textile industry will shift to having a near-sourcing strategy and if synthetic cellulose fibers will revive the Swedish textile industry, Sweden could benefit from having a complete recycling system within 20 years.