Chapter 6 — full chapter
Chapter 6 — full chapter
6.1.1 Why Textiles Are Lost from the System
Textiles are lost when one or more links in the recovery chain fail. Products may enter mixed waste because separate collection is unavailable or inconvenient; after collection, contamination, poor condition or inadequate sorting can prevent reuse. Missing composition data, fibre blends, elastane, coatings, finishes and hard-to-remove trims can also restrict recycling.
Technical recyclability is therefore only one condition. A viable route also needs sufficient volumes of consistent material, safe storage, transport, market demand and suitable local repair, resale or recycling capacity. EU separate collection (European Environment Agency, 2025a) can increase captured textiles, but it does not guarantee recovery. SMEs can reduce losses by designing simpler products, providing accurate material information, keeping production waste separated and agreeing acceptance criteria and destinations with partners before launching take-back schemes.