Textile Exchange to improve transparency in textile waste sourcing

Textile Exchange has launched an updated Reclaimed Materials Declaration Form (RMDF) to improve traceability and transparency in textile waste sourcing. The revamped form standardizes data collection on recycled inputs, including composition and origin, enabling brands to verify claims about recycled content, whether from plastic bottles or textiles.

The project aimed to harmonize data collection and system functionalities to create consistent practices for tracking and sharing textile waste information across the supply chain. This involved stakeholders such as waste collectors, recyclers, and certification bodies.

Backed by brands like Adidas, Levi’s, and Target, and supported by organisations such as Reverse Resources and Usha Yarns, the initiative paves the way for digital integration with Textile Exchange’s Trackit system.

Moreover, the study revealed that RMDF can integrate with existing systems used by recyclers. This eliminates the need for them to re-enter recycling data across platforms, as their systems can connect with Trackit, lightening the traceability burden and enabling smoother operations.

This streamlining aims to reduce duplicate reporting and promote interoperable, digital traceability within the recycled textile value chain. This development marks significant progress toward a more circular and transparent textile industry.