Building Circular Systems, next phase of work to create scale in textile-to-textile recycling systems

Previous Accelerating Circularity textile-to-textile (T2T) trials have demonstrated the successful replacement of virgin fibers in yarns and fabrics that targeted a minimum of 40% recycled cotton or recycled polyester. Each of the new materials were run at standard industry minimum order quantities.

ACP’s Building Circular Systems (BCS) objectives are to significantly increase volumes of materials, develop new tools and expand circular system education based on the learnings from the previous work. This next phase will include more collaborations with additional partners and a wider geographic scope. BCS provides the opportunity for participants to benefit from; witnessing 1st hand the capabilities and challenges of circular systems, collectively building the tools necessary to commercialize at industry scale T2T and connecting with peers on T2T regulations and transition pathways. Ultimately this work will enable companies to better meet their own goals of incorporating recycled materials and GHG reduction targets.

There are 3 main workstreams:

• Building Markets through expanded trials in both the United States and European Union.
• Creating the Textile Hierarchy Tool that outlines pathways for used textiles to maximize resource savings and reduce environmental impacts.
• Educating and providing access to information and available tools on circular T2T systems.

“This milestone marks a major step forward in ACP’s efforts to build commercial circular textile-to-textile systems, provide industry tools and deliver on education and knowledge allowing companies to transfer learnings to their sourcing strategies. ” said Karla Magruder, founder, and president of Accelerating Circularity. “We are driving positive change in the supply chain through collaboration and leading the way toward our vision of a world where textiles are no longer wasted.”