The textile waste lifecycle

With growing attention to environmental responsibility towards solid waste management, the textile and apparel industry has expanded its efforts to reduce disposal of post-producer textile waste in landfills. At the same time, finding alternative methods for the disposal of post-consumer textile waste is assuming greater importance. This exploratory research presents a model of the textile waste lifecycle. The model is intended to better explain events associated with the production and disposal of post-producer and post-consumer textile waste. Furthermore, the textile waste lifecycle model reflects the growing interdependence between the consumer and the textile and apparel industry in the disposal of textile waste in an environmentally responsible manner. The model may also encourage dialogue among textile and clothing professionals to stimulate the kinds of proaction necessary to further reduce textile disposal in landfills and to generate new or expanded recycling options. Suggestions for further research are provided.