“To combat the harmful effects of fast fashion on the environment, the EU wants to reduce textile waste and increase the life cycle and recycling of textiles. This is part of the plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050.“, published a few days ago the European Parliament . Recycling in fashion offers significant environmental et socio-economic benefits But it also presents potential dangers. Its advantages include to reduce environmental impact by reducing waste and carbon footprint, through lower demand for virgin resources and energy savings. It also helps to preserve natural ressources such as water and raw materials, by using recycled materials such as cotton. From an economic point of view, recycling promotes circular economy , stimulates innovation and responds to growing consumer demand for sustainable products. In the long term, this can also reduce production costs and create local jobs, strengthening the local economy. But on the other hand, recycling presents potential dangers, which we will look at in 8 points :
1. Chemical contamination
Clothing made from recycled materials may contain residues of harmful chemicals used in their previous life cycles. For example, dyes, flame retardants and other chemical additives can remain in the fibres and pose serious health risks.
2. Reduced quality
Recycled materials can be of inferior quality to virgin materials. Recycled fibre, particularly synthetic fibre such as polyester, can be shorter and weaker after reprocessing, which can affect the durability and appearance of new garments.
3. High energy consumption
The recycling process itself can be energy-intensive, especially if it involves transporting materials over long distances, or using energy-intensive processes to break down textiles into reusable fibres.
4. Greenwashing
Some companies may exaggerate or misrepresent the extent of their recycling practices in order to appear greener than they really are. This can mislead consumers and prevent them from making informed decisions.
5. Dependence on recycling
By focusing on recycling, the industry can overlook other important aspects of sustainability, such as reducing consumption, improving working conditions in textile production, and reducing the overall carbon footprint.
6. inefficient waste management
If the collection, sorting and recycling processes are not effectively managed, many materials destined for recycling can end up in landfill or be incinerated, contributing to pollution.
7. Impact on local communities
The international trade in textile waste can have a negative impact on communities in developing countries, where large quantities of waste can be exported for sorting and recycling, often under poorly regulated working conditions.
8. Resource depletion
Recycling textile fibres often requires the use of new resources, such as water and chemicals, to reprocess the fibres, which can contribute to the depletion of natural resources.
Faced with these challenges, the fashion industry not only needs to develop cleaner, more efficient recycling methods, it also needs to better inform consumers so that they can make responsible decisions about their purchases and the management of their textile waste.
