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Fabric recycling

A fabric recycling is an increasingly relevant topic in times of environmental concern and the search for sustainable solutions. The textile sector is one of the largest generators of waste in the world, and the improper disposal of fabrics and clothing can cause significant damage to the environment. Although the practice of recycling fabrics is still in its infancy in Brazil, there are promising initiatives and a growing awareness of the importance of reusing and transforming these materials.

In this article, we will explore the challenges and opportunities of fabric recycling, from its environmental importance to current practices and the role of creativity in the reuse of textile materials.

Reciclagem de tecido
FROM 2006 to 2014, 600 tons of old jeans were transformed into thermal insulation for needy communities, in an American recycling program

The Environmental Impact of Textile Disposal

The textile industry is one of the most polluting in the world. Much of this impact comes from the improper disposal of clothing and other products made from tissue. After being used, many of these materials end up in landfills, where they take years to decompose. In addition, industrial processes involving dyeing and chemical treatment of fabrics also pollute water resources, as these substances are often dumped into liquid effluents.

It is estimated that millions of tons of tissue are discarded every year around the world. This volume is responsible for soil and water pollution, in addition to increasing greenhouse gas emissions when waste is incinerated in the open air.

A fabric recycling It is a fundamental solution to mitigate these impacts, by promoting the reuse of materials and reducing the need to produce new fabrics, which consume large amounts of natural resources, such as water and energy. the scraps.

reciclagem de tecido

 

Challenges of Fabric Recycling in Brazil

In Brazil, the fabric recycling still faces several challenges. The first of these is the lack of infrastructure to carry out the process on an industrial scale. In addition, the fabrics discarded after use are often dirty and degraded, which makes the recycling process more complex and expensive.

Another challenge is the dispersed volume of textile waste. Unlike other recyclable materials, such as paper and plastic, which are more concentrated in specific areas, tissue is discarded in small quantities, which makes collection logistics difficult and makes the process less economically attractive.

However, creative initiatives have emerged to address these obstacles. The reuse of textile scraps (pre-consumer waste) is already a common practice in some factories, where discarded material is reintegrated into the production line. This practice helps to reduce the amount of waste generated and save resources in the production process.

Examples of Textile Recycling Around the World

Although Brazil is still slowly advancing in this field, in other parts of the world the fabric recycling has been more widely adopted. A notable example is the denim recycling program in the United States, which transformed 600 tons of old jeans into thermal insulation for underserved communities between 2006 and 2014. This project is an inspiration for other countries, showing how textile waste can be reused in innovative ways.

Another example is the use of textile waste to produce non-woven fabrics, which are used in a variety of industries, such as the automotive industry, metallurgy and the production of medicinal products. This form of recycling is still limited in Brazil, but it has great potential for expansion, especially if there is greater incentive to create public policies aimed at the sector.

The Role of Crafts in Textile Recycling

One of the most creative and accessible ways to fabric recycling is through crafts. Craftspeople from all over the country use leftover fabric to create a wide range of products, such as rag dolls, eco-bags, quilts, rugs and clothes. This practice is an excellent way to reuse fabrics that would otherwise be discarded, transforming them into unique pieces with great artistic value.

Craftsmanship with fabrics does not require a complex industrial process, which makes this option more viable for small initiatives and individual entrepreneurs. In addition, artisanal production values local culture and encourages conscious consumption, as consumers begin to value products made by hand with recycled materials.

Check out some ideas for products that can be made from textile waste:

  • Sustainable bags and backpacks
  • Custom clothing and accessories
  • Rugs and cushions
  • Quilts and blankets
  • Dolls and toys

Tips for Reusing Fabrics at Home

In addition to larger initiatives, the fabric recycling It can start at home. Reusing clothing and fabrics is an effective way to reduce waste and extend the life of materials. Some practical tips for reusing fabrics in everyday life include:

  • Donation: Clothes that no longer fit or are no longer used can be donated to charities or to people in vulnerable situations.
  • Repair: Before you throw away a piece of clothing, consider repairing or customizing it. Small alterations can give new life to old clothes.
  • Cleaning cloths: Old fabrics, such as T-shirts and sheets, can be cut into small pieces and used as cleaning cloths for the home.
  • Craftsmanship: If you like crafts, use leftover fabric to create decorative or functional pieces, such as bags, document holders or even notebook covers.

These practices help reduce fabric waste and promote a culture of reuse, which is essential for sustainability.

The Future of Fabric Recycling in Brazil

The future of fabric recycling in Brazil depends on a combination of factors, including public awareness, the development of new technologies and government support for policies that encourage recycling. Textile companies and consumers have a fundamental role in this process, adopting more sustainable practices and seeking alternatives for waste disposal.

The sustainable fashion industry has also been growing in Brazil, with brands using recycled fabrics and promoting the concept of a circular economy, in which materials are constantly reused in new products. This trend could help boost fabric recycling in the country, making it a more common and accessible practice.

With the demand for green and sustainable solutions on the rise, the textile recycling industry is set to expand significantly in the coming years. This will not only bring environmental benefits, but also new business opportunities and job creation in a sector that is in dire need of innovation.

A fabric recycling is a fundamental solution to the environmental problems caused by the improper disposal of textile waste. Although there are still challenges to be overcome, such as the lack of infrastructure and public awareness, creative and sustainable initiatives are paving the way for a greener future. By promoting the reuse of fabrics, whether through industrial recycling or crafts, we can contribute to reducing pollution and preserving natural resources, while encouraging more conscious consumption practices.

Check out other interesting facts about recycling clicking here.
Learn how to make art by recycling, Click here.

Ricardo Ricchini
Ricardo Ricchini
Articles: 198

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202 Comments

  1. I would like to know if you buy fabric scraps for recycling.
    My company has a lot of fabric leftovers and we want to sell them so they can be put to good use. If you are interested, please contact us by email. Thank you.

  2. Hello. Good afternoon, we have a lot of waste from various types of fabric, if you are interested, you can mark and remove the waste at no cost.

  4. Hello,

    In my company we discard a lot of leftover fabric, wood, carpet, synthetic leather, PET bottles and glass bottles.

    I would really like to give a better purpose to these products. Do you collect anything or can you recommend a company or institution that does? I am from Niterói/RJ. Thank you very much!!

  9. Hello, I have a bunch of formal uniforms (without the logo) that can be reused to make accessories. I want to donate them. I just need a phone number to discuss the matter.

  10. I would really like to give a proper destination to clothes that can no longer be used. Is there an organization that collects them, or at least has a place where we can take them?
    grateful

  11. We are a decorative ribbon manufacturer in the interior of São Paulo. I would like to know if you are interested in purchasing scraps of satin and decorative polyester and/or polyamide ribbons to use in the manufacture of recycled products.

    Grateful

  14. Hello…..I would like to know if anyone is interested in fabric scraps weekly in the Guarulhos region.
    but I need it to be picked up on site
    Thank you in advance

  17. Dear friends, I am part of a social work that delivers clothes to homeless people. However, many people deliver clothes that are no longer usable because they are too old, torn, etc. If anyone is interested in reusing this material, please contact me and I will tell you where to pick it up. There is no cost, as they are donated products. Thank you, Paula.

    • Good afternoon Paula, I am a representative of the company Estopa Francana, I would like to know if the quantity of t-shirts and sweatshirts you have is large because I am interested.

      • HELLO JOSEPHE, I'M FROM GUARULHOS AND WE ARE ASKING FOR DONATIONS TO MAKE OUR CRAFTS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DONATING TO US, WE WOULD BE VERY THANKFUL. I'M FROM GUARULHOS/SUZANA ALVES LEAL.

      • Hello Josephe! Our children's clothing industry in Mairiporã - SP, generates between 5 and 10 tons of textile waste per month and I am looking for companies that are interested in this waste. They are 100% cotton knit fabrics, plain and printed, sweatshirt fabrics, among others (we do not separate). Phone (11) 94036-4415 C/Paulo.

      • Hello, our children's clothing industry in Mairiporã - SP, generates between 5 and 10 tons of textile waste per month and I am looking for companies that are interested in this waste. They are 100% cotton knit fabrics, plain and printed, sweatshirt fabrics, among others (we do not separate). Phone (11) 94036-4415 C/Paulo.

    • Good morning. I represent the company Contra Tempo Confecções, located in São Jorge do Patrocínio – Paraná. We have a lot of denim fabric waste, if you are interested in collecting it at no cost, please contact us.

  20. Hello, I'm glad to know that there are many fabric donations, but here in Macapá we have a lot of difficulty collecting them. We still haven't found anyone to donate. We work with workshops for needy mothers and, together with some friends, we buy fabrics so we can teach these classes. If you know how we can get this material in nearby regions, we would be grateful.
    Here are the contact emails: [email protected], [email protected]

    • Good morning. I represent the company Contra Tempo Confecções, located in São Jorge do Patrocínio – Paraná. We have a lot of denim fabric waste, if you are interested in collecting it at no cost, please contact us.

  21. Hello, I have fabric scraps, they are small (viscolycra, sweatshirt)
    NOTE: they are very small.
    Is anyone interested? Pick up in the Santa Cecília neighborhood – SP

      • Good afternoon,

        I work in a Professional Uniforms manufacturing company, and every day we generate a lot of scraps such as: denim, PV mesh, 100% cotton mesh, sweatshirt, two way, jeans, tactel, piquet and Worker Mix.

        If you are interested, please contact (11) 2467 0725.

  25. Hello, I have manufacturing waste. Sweatshirt, dry fit (polyamide), white and colored cotton half-knit, helanca, dry fit (polyester), light denim, tactel. Anyone interested can contact me by email [email protected] Sao Paulo Interlagos

  26. I would like to buy or donate polyester wadding or any other type of waste for stuffing pillows or cushions, as well as for burlap.
    zap.081-9 8220-2125 bartolomeu I'm in recife

  27. Hello, I would like to know if anyone buys non-woven fabric (TNT) scraps, as I have a company and many of these end up in the trash.

  29. Hello, I am looking for people interested in recycling fabrics, used uniforms without the logo, near Maceió AL. Interested parties should contact me on WhatsApp: (82) 98841-6370

  30. Goodnight
    I work with fabric recycling
    I recycle scraps of knitwear, denim fabric, I recycle used uniforms, sheets, pillowcases, to make industrial towels... If you have any, please contact me by email.
    [email protected]

    Thanks !!
    Retreat in SP

  31. Dear all, I work in a social project and we have many knitted blouses (piqué or plain - school uniforms) available for sale or donation. We are in Rio de Janeiro, in Botafogo. Would anyone be interested? We also have a variety of clothes to discard, donated pieces that unfortunately are no longer in a condition to be used!

  35. Good morning, we have a batch of almost 1000 promotional cases (abada type) to sell at cost price, if anyone is interested, WhatsApp 88 9 9909 0038… We are in Ceará…

  36. I THINK ALL THESE COMMENTS SHOULD HAVE AN EMAIL FOR CONTACT....UNTIL TODAY I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE TO THE ADS...EMAIL OR PERSONAL PHONE....HELP HERE; PLEASE...

  38. Hello dear, I work in a textile industry and here we generate a lot of polyester fabric with PVC lamination tips and this is not recycled.
    Could you help me with this?
    I'll be waiting, thank you in advance!

  39. Good evening, everyone!
    I am from São Paulo and a student of Fashion Business. We are in the development phase of our final project and are leading the project on a sustainable children's brand in which we would like to rebuild new quality and value-added clothing from the reuse of fabrics in good condition and, if possible, with a variety of prints.
    We would like to know if you could tell us where we could access this material.

    Hug
    Juliana Machado

  41. I have a certain amount of different scraps and would like to know if anyone is interested in buying them. I'm from Sorocaba, my number is 15 99734-7126 Jorge Vaz

  42. Good morning!
    I'm looking for suppliers who follow a sustainable line for clothing... Recycled polyester, organic cotton, polyamide.
    Can someone help me?
    Thanks

  44. Hello, I have a sewing workshop, and I'm interested in selling the scraps, but I don't know how to do it. The scraps are made of sweatshirt fabric, denim, cotton jersey, gabardini, sweatshirt fabric, Oxford fabric...
    If anyone wants to buy it, please contact me by email.

  46. Hello! I am a craftswoman and I am looking for scraps or ends of fine fabrics (any type of lace, organza, muslin, tulle, silk satin, duchesse satin, taffeta, etc.) and haberdashery. Please, if anyone has or knows where I can find them, please send me an email to: [email protected] or add on WhatsApp (11)97805-3490. Thank you!

    • Good morning.

      Due to the closure of a small craft shop, I am donating scraps and foam, some fabrics, which are in 14 boxes the size of a basic food basket full of scraps, and also 1 box and 1 bag of foam. If you are interested, just pick them up at the location. I am close to the Tatuapé subway station.
      Get in touch and we will schedule the pick-up.
      Or you can call 2693-8049 Fátima or 99293-8030 Ivan

      I await contact.

      Thanks.

      IVAN

  48. Good morning,
    I work at Werner Fábrica de Tecidos, in Petrópolis-RJ, we generate approximately 1 ton/month of clean tow and selvedges (acetate, viscose, silk).
    I would like to check if there is interest in the material, sale for R$ 0.40 kg, negotiable.
    I'll wait.

    Thanks.

    Att,
    Fernanda Raybolt
    24 2291-9574

  49. Good morning everybody,

    I work for a Service Outsourcing company. I have several uniforms that I need to dispose of with some financial return so that they can release me from this process.
    Several oxford fabric pants and several dress shirts.
    If you are interested, here is my email.
    [email protected]

    Thanks.

  50. Hello everyone, I make craft pieces for fashion accessories, and I'm looking for scraps of cotton waste to do the work, I was very interested in the comments, if anyone has any and is from São Paulo, you can send me an email to negotiate the scraps. [email protected]

  52. Hello, I'm from Niteroi and I've been unemployed for a long time, so I started making lycra spaghetti rugs, but I don't have the money to buy the lycra scraps. If anyone can help me by donating lycra scraps, as well as potato bags or canvas, I'd appreciate it. You can talk to me on WhatsApp 21988982102

  53. Hello, I work in the public sector and we have cloth t-shirts that belonged to a project developed in Sorocaba and we intend to donate these t-shirts. Are you interested in receiving them?

  56. Hello, my name is Selma and I make stitched patchwork rugs and I want to buy polyamide, gorgurinho or helanquinha waste... I'm from Guarulhos and my WhatsApp is: 9-7038-8981...

  58. Hello, gentlemen.

    I speak on behalf of a company and we have a lot of used uniforms and PPE. We need to find a company that will buy these uniforms, we just need them to remove the logo.

    If anyone is interested, please contact us via WhatsApp at this number: 11 97079-3139

    We are located in São Paulo near the entrance to Guarulhos

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