Currently, only 15% of textile waste, which is 95% recyclable, is actually being recycled. The rate of textile-to-textile recycling remains a mere 1%. While global efforts are underway to address this issue, Türkiye is also implementing initiatives to enhance the efficiency of textile waste recycling processes. The AI-supported Swatchloop platform has been developed to help reduce waste in the sector by enabling the tracking of textile waste and managing recycling processes from start to finish.
In a statement to AA, Textile Engineer Dr. Güneş Sayıt, co-founder of Swatchloop, emphasized that 92 million tons of textile waste are produced globally each year. The low recycling rates following large-scale production result in a loss of raw materials and environmental harm caused by this waste. Sayıt highlighted the critical need for waste separation at its source:
“Workers try to sort the mixed waste by hand, which is not a technical or accurate method. This results in significant labour loss and prolonged recycling times. Due to improper sorting, the waste does not go through the correct recycling process, resulting in inefficient and costly raw materials, which hinders reuse.”
All stakeholders can track textile waste in real time, which is a significant advancement. Güneş Sayıt pointed out that numerous initiatives aim to raise consumer awareness and promote circularity in light of the environmental burden imposed by fast fashion. The European Union (EU) has even introduced regulations to tackle this issue, implementing a waste management platform designed to support the circular economy and mitigate waste-related environmental impacts. Sayıt explained the process stages on the platform:
“The platform ensures the classification of textile waste at its source and the creation of its digital twin in the system. The system identifies and quickly classifies the waste, creating a digital identity for it. With this digital identity, all stakeholders can track the waste in real time, including which collector picked it up, which recycling company it was taken to, the processes it underwent, and what it was transformed into. The platform provides waste management solutions and supports the circular economy.”
She added that the platform digitizes the entire management process of textile waste, allowing producers and brands within the industry to establish and manage a sustainable waste management chain. “We have a machine learning-based AI feature that we use to direct waste to the correct recycling process. We provide guidance to companies on which recycling process the waste should go through. We match waste with recycling companies. The system directs the company as ‘this is the recycler that will make the best use of your waste’ and thus guides it to a more efficient recycling process,” she said.
