The major fashion brands like Levi’s and H&M are looking for ways to create a better quality cotton recycling technology that can convert used and post-production cotton clothes back into raw materials. The manufacturing of cotton required for a single t-shirt can consume up to 2,700L of water. That is why more companies are looking for ways to create high-quality recyclable cotton.
The production of 1kg of cotton can consume up to 20,000L of water. It is one of the profitable non-food crop businesses globally, with countries like India, China, and Turkey leading the market. It provides employment to over 250 million people. On the other side, cotton recycling plants are connected directly to the waste management programs. These companies use cotton clothes from consumers and convert them back to raw cotton, which can then be used for clothes and other fabric products.
Recycling cotton is still a very expensive and developing process. The quality of the recycled cotton available today does not match the staple quality of organic cotton. However, it has its own benefits, which is why the big fashion brands are looking for ideas that can provide them better-recycled cotton. Here are some advantages of producing recycled cotton.
Waste management
Recycled cotton will help the environment in controlling waste and producing as little carbon as possible. The fashion industry is responsible for producing 10% of global carbon. 99% of the clothes that people throw away go directly to landfills due to lack of recycling facilities. If more textile could be recycled, it would prevent the emission of carbon in the air and help the environment become better. With the new cotton recycling solutions, we can see better waste management and less pollution.
Water conservation
Recycling cotton can save up to 20,000L of water that is consumed for making 1Kg fresh organic cotton. Cotton recycling plants can reduce water consumption. Did you know that cotton production is the reason for the disappearance of the Aral Sea in Central Asia? With the help of quality recycled cotton, there will be less need for the production of organic water.
Environmentally friendly
Recycled cotton can be completely eco-friendly unless it has mixed artificial fiber. Recycling cotton does not require any fertilizers, insecticides, or pesticides. According to a survey, 11% of the world’s consumption of pesticides is from cotton cultivation. Recycling more cotton will help in reducing the impact of chemicals on the earth.
Low emission of CO2
Recycling cotton will also help in reducing the carbon footprint on the earth. The clothes that end up in landfills are burned in most cases, which releases up to 10% of the world’s carbon emission. Processes like dyeing also impact the emission of CO2. The recycled cotton may already have the necessary color needed for reuse, which prevents the need to add more colors and chemicals, which in the process reduces the emission of CO2.
