Circ revolutionizes recycling with innovative fiber separation method

Circ, a startup dedicated to addressing environmental concerns, has developed a new method to tackle the challenges of the clothing industry. They have found a way to separate cotton and polyester, two common materials in clothing, to prevent them from ending up in landfills.

At a testing facility in Danville, Virginia, the team at Circ has devised a special method to separate cotton and polyester fibers from clothing. This process involves using a “pressure cooker” method, which, in simple terms, combines a chemical reaction to transform polyester into a liquid form, while keeping the cotton intact. The liquid polyester is then turned into plastic chips, and both materials can be used to create new clothing items.

Circ’s innovative approach to clothing recycling has earned them recognition. They were named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize, which is an annual award presented by Prince William to address urgent environmental issues. This highlights the importance of their work in addressing environmental concerns.

Circ has ambitious plans for the future. They aim to establish their first large-scale factory by 2026 and replicate this model worldwide. This will enable them to recycle a significant number of clothing items, making a substantial impact on reducing textile waste.