Test Methods and Identification of Recycled Polyester
85
4.6 Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)
The RCS is as a chain of improvement standard to track recycled materials (virgin)
with the help of Materials Traceability Working Group (MTWG) through the supply
chain. It comprises of Content Claim Standard (CCS) companies that verifies the
recycled content of specific input materials), and additional guidance for implementation of the standard. The CCS Implementation Manual has become mandate for all
the textile industries.
The followings are set of selection measures can be adapted to manage or reduce
textile waste and increase the use of recycled fiber (polyesters).
(a) To minimize off-cuts and monitor internal reuse and (internal/external) recycling
of off-cuts and factory waste;
(b) Trail runs and process start-up and tuning losses, especially in respect to dying;
(c) Recycled Polyester: Polyester is a product of crude oil, just like other plastics such as carbonated drink bottles (PET). Re-cycling these and/or polyester
clothes can reduce oil use and energy demands;
(d) The sustainable approach in the design can meet Cradle to cradle approach.
To build up recycling practice in the textile business, the following factors can be
enabled. The technology gap between knowledge and implementation is a serious
concern.
1. To adopt, stimulate and develop polyester recycling operations across the supply
chain (polycotton recycling systems).
2. To automate textile waste sorting and identify fiber-to-fiber methodologies that
can incorporate blends i.e. nylon/elastane.
3. To install traceability systems in the existing recyclers which provide information/knowledge of materials and chemicals used in production processes.
4. To ensure quantifying the environmental impacts on safer chemistry and products
or implement enzymes, bio-based precursors, etc.
5. To expand technology as not influenced by human exposure, washing/drying,
and growth of textile recycling systems.
6. To characterize the recycled products and certify them.
7. To promote awareness among industry and consumers for the sustainable future.
Reclaiming fibers avoids polluting and energy-intensive process that involves
in making textile from virgin materials. All recycled fibers score best of class on
environmental performance (class A in the MADE-BY fiber benchmark). The Fiber
Benchmark (MADE-BY) listed out the most commonly used fibers in the garment
industry and their impacts on sustainable alternatives. Twenty-eight fibers are ranked
on six parameters: greenhouse gas emissions, human toxicity and eco-toxicity (20%
weight), energy, water and land use (13.33% weight). The fibers are placed in Class
A to Class E, fibers in ‘Unclassified’ are not able to be ranked, yet.
85
4.6 Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)
The RCS is as a chain of improvement standard to track recycled materials (virgin)
with the help of Materials Traceability Working Group (MTWG) through the supply
chain. It comprises of Content Claim Standard (CCS) companies that verifies the
recycled content of specific input materials), and additional guidance for implementation of the standard. The CCS Implementation Manual has become mandate for all
the textile industries.
The followings are set of selection measures can be adapted to manage or reduce
textile waste and increase the use of recycled fiber (polyesters).
(a) To minimize off-cuts and monitor internal reuse and (internal/external) recycling
of off-cuts and factory waste;
(b) Trail runs and process start-up and tuning losses, especially in respect to dying;
(c) Recycled Polyester: Polyester is a product of crude oil, just like other plastics such as carbonated drink bottles (PET). Re-cycling these and/or polyester
clothes can reduce oil use and energy demands;
(d) The sustainable approach in the design can meet Cradle to cradle approach.
To build up recycling practice in the textile business, the following factors can be
enabled. The technology gap between knowledge and implementation is a serious
concern.
1. To adopt, stimulate and develop polyester recycling operations across the supply
chain (polycotton recycling systems).
2. To automate textile waste sorting and identify fiber-to-fiber methodologies that
can incorporate blends i.e. nylon/elastane.
3. To install traceability systems in the existing recyclers which provide information/knowledge of materials and chemicals used in production processes.
4. To ensure quantifying the environmental impacts on safer chemistry and products
or implement enzymes, bio-based precursors, etc.
5. To expand technology as not influenced by human exposure, washing/drying,
and growth of textile recycling systems.
6. To characterize the recycled products and certify them.
7. To promote awareness among industry and consumers for the sustainable future.
Reclaiming fibers avoids polluting and energy-intensive process that involves
in making textile from virgin materials. All recycled fibers score best of class on
environmental performance (class A in the MADE-BY fiber benchmark). The Fiber
Benchmark (MADE-BY) listed out the most commonly used fibers in the garment
industry and their impacts on sustainable alternatives. Twenty-eight fibers are ranked
on six parameters: greenhouse gas emissions, human toxicity and eco-toxicity (20%
weight), energy, water and land use (13.33% weight). The fibers are placed in Class
A to Class E, fibers in ‘Unclassified’ are not able to be ranked, yet.