Help Reduce the 34 Billion Pound Waste

When shopping for clothes, here's the one thing you can do to drastically reduce the 34 billion pounds of textile waste the US creates every year: Look at the tag.

In my previous article: Textiles, Technology and the Tyranny of Time, I delve into the issues creating the massive amounts of textile waste generated in America alone on an annual basis - 34 Billion Pounds!

But, with recent technological advancements like those of Ambercycle, a Los Angeles based technology firm focused on decarbonizing the fast-fashion clothing supply chain, we may be headed towards a turn in the road. By breaking down fabrics to their core elements, distilling it, then creating a brand new synthetic polyester threads from which new clothing can be created, CEO Shay Seti is betting big on a circular economy.

For someone like me with only the most basic knowledge of textiles, the chemistry behind what companies like Ambercycle are doing may be out of reach. However, for now, all we need to do is look for 100% fabrics.

So, the new yoga pants you purchased at LuLuLemon made with 81% Nylon and 19% Lycra? elastane is difficult to recycle. However, let's give credit where it's due: LuLuLemon's "Like New" is a new initiative to allow consumers to reuse clothing so as to reduce waste. They will even reward those who purchase from the Like New stack with gift cards.

Here's the takeaway - 1) Buy pure 100% fabric clothing; 2) Donate and Reuse; and 3) Look for fabrics like those created by innovative companies like Ambercycle.

#textiles #circulareconomy #textilerecycling #sustainablefashion #circularfashion #Biobasedtextiles #100percenttextile2textilerecycling #sustainability Circular Action Alliance