Experts have invented a technology that allows recycling of old garment items without any quality loss — a development that will help reduce dependence on virgin raw materials like raw cotton for yarn and fabrics.Previously, in the absence of commercially viable separation, sorting and recycling technology, the fashion industry was not able to properly recycle garment items.“This is a major breakthrough in the pursuit of a fashion industry operating within the planetary boundaries,” said Edwin Keh, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA).HKRITA with an estimated funding of 5.8 million euros from the H&M Foundation made the innovation, which will be licensed widely to ensure broad market access and maximum impact.“By being able to upcycle used textiles into new high-value textiles, we no longer need to solely rely on virgin materials to dress a growing world population,” Keh said in a statement.The recycling method is cost effective and there is no secondary pollution to the environment, ensuring that the life of the recycled material is prolonged in a sustainable way.“The fashion industry is using more resources than the planet allows,” said the Swedish retail giant H&M, the largest buyer of the Bangladesh’s garment sector.The technology is a major breakthrough in the journey towards a closed loop for textiles, it said. “Fashion is far too precious to end up in landfills,” H&M said in a statement.In 2013 the Swedish retail giant started collecting unwanted garments — irrespective of the brand or condition — at its store across the globe.Since the initiative was launched, H&M has gathered more than 32,000 tonnes of garments, which is more fabric than in 100 million t-shirts.Recycling clothes will help reduce the amount of natural resources needed to produce new garments. As much as 95 percent of the clothes thrown away could have been re-worn or recycled, according to H&M.
