Increasing Need for Textile and Clothing Recycling
M60STD
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 4.5%, or 4 million tons of all waste sent to municipal landfills is comprised of textiles. Access to inexpensive clothing and fabrics has lead to significant growth for the need to efficiently recycle excess inventory. Textile recycling continues to grow as this valuable asset has become a world commodity. In accordance with this, the increasing consumer appeal for products made with recycled content has increased its marketing potential and overall value.
The majority of textile and clothing waste is originated from household sources, and becomes known as post-consumer waste. The retail industry, garment-making process, and yarn and fabric manufacturers further contribute to the accumulation of textile waste. This type of waste is referred to as post-industrial waste. Together, these two types of waste provide a vast and increasing potential for recovery and recycling.
Harmony Enterprises offers a variety of solutions that can meet your needs for used clothing, rags, or other pre or post consumer textiles. Whether you are looking for a small, portable baler such as the M42HD or an automated baler designed to handle larger quantities like the S60XDRC we have the model that will fit your space and needs.
Benefits of Textile and Clothing Recycling
Ninety-nine percent of used textiles are recyclable. Textile and clothing recycling can give old clothes, linens, and other textiles a second life. That not only reduces the amount of waste going into landfills, it also provides some much needed assistance to third–world nations. Almost half of all post-consumer textile waste that is recovered is recycled to be used as second hand clothing which is often sold to third–world nations. It is through the diligent recycling efforts of the Textile and Clothing Industry, that some of the world’s poorest nations are able to clothe their residents.
The recovery of textiles and clothing for recycling provide both environmental and economic benefits.
- Clothing & textile recycling reduces the need for landfill space.
Synthetic fiber products will not decompose, and as a result present a unique set of problems in the landfill. While woolen garments do decompose, they also produce methane which contributes to global warming. - Clothing & textile recycling reduces pressure on virgin resources.
- Clothing & textile recycling encourages the development of additional markets.
Raw materials created from recycled content generally cost less, making their use attractive and desirable to manufacturers. This in turn leads to the development of more markets for reclaimed fibers. - Clothing & textile recycling results in less pollution and energy savings.
The benefits of clothing & textile recycling don’t just stop here. Reclaiming textile fiber avoids many of the polluting and energy intensive processes required to make textiles from virgin materials. This includes:
- Savings on energy consumption when processing.
Items do not need to be re-dyed or scoured. - Less effluent.
Unlike raw wool, reclaimed fiber does not have to be thoroughly washed using large volumes of water. - Reduction of demand for dyes and fixing agents.
This in turn reduces the problems caused by their use and manufacture.
Millions of individuals benefit from the products, operations, and programs created by the recycling of textile waste. Here at Harmony Enterprises we provide dependable and durable balers and compactors that make textile recycling possible. We look forward to working with you to find the perfect baler or compactor tailored towards your textile and clothing recycling needs!
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