Textile Waste Recycling: Emerging Technologies, Environmental Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions

Tesfaye Worku

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11

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Textile Waste Recycling: Emerging Technologies, Environmental Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions

Tesfaye Worku^*

Published in American Journal of Polymer Science and Technology (Volume 11, Issue 3)

Received: 20 October 2025 Accepted: 3 November 2025 Published: 11 December 2025

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Abstract

The textile and apparel industry has been identified as one of the most resource-intensive sectors globally, with substantial environmental burdens arising from fiber production, dyeing, finishing, and disposal. Textile recycling represents a critical pathway toward sustainable resource management and circular economy implementation. The rapid expansion of global textile production and consumption has intensified the accumulation of textile waste, creating urgent environmental, economic, and social concerns. This review synthesizes current knowledge on textile waste streams, with emphasis on the classification of natural, synthetic, and blended materials and the unique challenges they present for recycling. Emerging technologies including advanced mechanical recycling, chemical depolymerization, enzymatic treatments, and fiber-to-fiber regeneration are critically assessed for their efficiency, scalability, material recovery rates, and environmental footprints. The review further examines key environmental challenges such as microplastic pollution, hazardous chemical release, landfill overuse, and high energy demands associated with traditional waste management pathways. In response to these issues, sustainable solutions such as circular economy frameworks, eco-design principles, closed-loop manufacturing, and policy interventions are discussed. The paper highlights successful global initiatives and industry innovations that demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a circular textile system. Finally, research gaps and future directions are identified to support the transition toward resource-efficient, low-impact textile waste management. This review provides a comprehensive foundation for stakeholders seeking to enhance sustainability across the textile value chain.

Published in	American Journal of Polymer Science and Technology (Volume 11, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11
Page(s)	37-40
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Textile Recycling, Circular Economy, Mechanical Recycling, Chemical Recycling, Sustainability, Waste Management

References

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[2]	Baloyi, R., Gbadeyan, O. J., Sithole, B., & Chunilall, V. (2023). Recent advances in recycling technologies for waste textile fabrics: A review. Textile Research Journal, 412, Article 137202. https://doi.org/10.1177/00405175231210239
[3]	Cao, H., Cobb, K., Yatvitskiy, M., Wolfe, M., & Shen, H. (2022). Textile and product development from end-of-use cotton apparel: A study to reclaim value from waste. Sustainability, 14(14), 8553. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148553
[4]	Islam, M. M., Yin, R., & West, A. (2025). A brief review of mechanical recycling of textile waste. Textiles, 5(4), 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/textiles5040041
[5]	Juanga-Labayen, J. P., Labayen, I. V., & Yuan, Q. (2022). A review on textile recycling practices and challenges. Textiles, 2(1), 174–188. https://doi.org/10.3390/textiles2010010
[6]	Kamdar Pande, R. S. (2024). Advancements in the development of sustainable textile materials and their recycling methods. International Journal of Advanced Research in Innovative Technology, 10(2), 45–58.
[7]	Karim, M. R., & Hasan, M. M. (2022). Innovative textile recycling and upcycling technologies for circular fashion. American Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 3(3), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.63125/kkmerg16
[8]	Kim, C. S., & Kim, K. R. (2016). A case study comparing textile recycling systems of Korea and the UK to promote sustainability. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 10(1), 9716.
[9]	Kushwah, S. R., & Naik, S. B. (2021). A review of textile recycling. International Journal of Emerging Innovative Research and Technology, 8(2), 23–31.
[10]	Leal Filho, W., Ellams, D., Han, S., Tyler, D., Boiten, V. J., Paço, A., Moora, H., & Balogun, A.-L. (2019). A review of the socio-economic advantages of textile recycling. Journal of Cleaner Production, 218, 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.210
[11]	Recycling of blended fabrics for a circular economy of textiles: Separation of cotton, polyester, and elastane fibres. (2024). Sustainability, 16(14), 6206. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146206
[12]	Sandin, G., & Peters, G. M. (2018). Environmental impact of textile reuse and recycling: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 184, 353–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.02.266
[13]	Sustainable strategies for the valorization of cotton and cotton-blended waste: Pathways to circular economy. (2025). Cellulose, 32, 6524–6539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-025-05012-3
[14]	Textile waste pre-treatments for enhanced chemical recycling. (2025). SN Applied Sciences, 7(3), 7091. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-05461-0
[15]	Yahaya, S. R., Jaafar, J. M., Liu, M., & Guo, C. (2021). Recycling textile waste for craft industries: An experimental approach to eco-friendly papermaking. Environment-Behavior Proceedings Journal, 6(17), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj. v6i17.3410
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APA Style

Worku, T. (2025). Textile Waste Recycling: Emerging Technologies, Environmental Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions. American Journal of Polymer Science and Technology, 11(3), 37-40. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11

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ACS Style

Worku, T. Textile Waste Recycling: Emerging Technologies, Environmental Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions. Am. J. Polym. Sci. Technol. 2025, 11(3), 37-40. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11

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AMA Style

Worku T. Textile Waste Recycling: Emerging Technologies, Environmental Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions. Am J Polym Sci Technol. 2025;11(3):37-40. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11,
  author = {Tesfaye Worku},
  title = {Textile Waste Recycling: Emerging Technologies, Environmental Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions},
  journal = {American Journal of Polymer Science and Technology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {37-40},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajpst.20251103.11},
  abstract = {The textile and apparel industry has been identified as one of the most resource-intensive sectors globally, with substantial environmental burdens arising from fiber production, dyeing, finishing, and disposal. Textile recycling represents a critical pathway toward sustainable resource management and circular economy implementation. The rapid expansion of global textile production and consumption has intensified the accumulation of textile waste, creating urgent environmental, economic, and social concerns. This review synthesizes current knowledge on textile waste streams, with emphasis on the classification of natural, synthetic, and blended materials and the unique challenges they present for recycling. Emerging technologies including advanced mechanical recycling, chemical depolymerization, enzymatic treatments, and fiber-to-fiber regeneration are critically assessed for their efficiency, scalability, material recovery rates, and environmental footprints. The review further examines key environmental challenges such as microplastic pollution, hazardous chemical release, landfill overuse, and high energy demands associated with traditional waste management pathways. In response to these issues, sustainable solutions such as circular economy frameworks, eco-design principles, closed-loop manufacturing, and policy interventions are discussed. The paper highlights successful global initiatives and industry innovations that demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a circular textile system. Finally, research gaps and future directions are identified to support the transition toward resource-efficient, low-impact textile waste management. This review provides a comprehensive foundation for stakeholders seeking to enhance sustainability across the textile value chain.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Textile Waste Recycling: Emerging Technologies, Environmental Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions
AU  - Tesfaye Worku
Y1  - 2025/12/11
PY  - 2025
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ajpst.20251103.11
T2  - American Journal of Polymer Science and Technology
JF  - American Journal of Polymer Science and Technology
JO  - American Journal of Polymer Science and Technology
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
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AB  - The textile and apparel industry has been identified as one of the most resource-intensive sectors globally, with substantial environmental burdens arising from fiber production, dyeing, finishing, and disposal. Textile recycling represents a critical pathway toward sustainable resource management and circular economy implementation. The rapid expansion of global textile production and consumption has intensified the accumulation of textile waste, creating urgent environmental, economic, and social concerns. This review synthesizes current knowledge on textile waste streams, with emphasis on the classification of natural, synthetic, and blended materials and the unique challenges they present for recycling. Emerging technologies including advanced mechanical recycling, chemical depolymerization, enzymatic treatments, and fiber-to-fiber regeneration are critically assessed for their efficiency, scalability, material recovery rates, and environmental footprints. The review further examines key environmental challenges such as microplastic pollution, hazardous chemical release, landfill overuse, and high energy demands associated with traditional waste management pathways. In response to these issues, sustainable solutions such as circular economy frameworks, eco-design principles, closed-loop manufacturing, and policy interventions are discussed. The paper highlights successful global initiatives and industry innovations that demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a circular textile system. Finally, research gaps and future directions are identified to support the transition toward resource-efficient, low-impact textile waste management. This review provides a comprehensive foundation for stakeholders seeking to enhance sustainability across the textile value chain.
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Tesfaye Worku