The volume of textile waste from 0.8 million tons to 4.2-5.5 million tons has increased environmental and economic challenges. It has been estimated that in less than four years, the textile wastes shall be collected separately and should ideally be processed in the European Union. To turn this challenge into an opportunity, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, EURATEX has launched a joint initiative to set European Textile Recycling Hubs called the ReHubs.

By setting these ReHubs near European textile and apparel districts will offer a benefit of making a circular change by upcycling textile wastes. This would be identified as a completely unique coordinated, large-scale management of material-streams.

The hubs capacity will be designed to treat large volumes at economies of scale, this will justify the costs of existing recycling technologies as well as investments into new ones, like chemical & thermal/melt recycling. The hubs will generate raw materials for the textile value chains, which is mostly made of SMEs (fiber-to-fiber closed loop), and for symbiosis with other European industries (e.g. automotive or other industries).

The new idea will secure a new European market of secondary raw materials by saving additional waste-related costs. The company will soon will create and spread knowledge on products’ recyclability and product design for better participation between the makers and the buyers across the value chain of the industry.

The ReHubs are not only equipped to tackle the issue of landfill and incineration but will also build a path for Europe to strengthen its autonomy for raw materials and provide a healthy recycling ecosystem across the country. The company will also provide greener jobs. Statistics indicate that over 20 jobs could be created for every 1000 tons of textiles collected, sorted and recycled, ultimately creating up to 120.000 jobs in the European Union.