6.1.2 Current Recovery Challenges

After collection, recovery systems must turn varied used products into streams with consistent composition, quality and volume. Fibre blends, elastane, coatings, colours, contamination and missing product data determine which processes are possible and the quality of their outputs. Most recycling technologies perform best with clean, well-sorted and relatively homogeneous feedstock (Huygens et al., 2023; Loo et al., 2023).

Scaling recovery also requires sorting capacity, dependable logistics, stable demand for recovered materials and economics that cover inspection and processing. Digital product information and automated identification may improve decisions, but they do not replace physical testing or market infrastructure. SMEs should define specifications with recovery partners, separate known production waste from uncertain post-consumer inputs, track contamination and yields, and report verified destinations. Designing for fewer materials and removable components makes later recovery more realistic.

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