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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Scaling Performance Fibers from Textile Waste

The LYCRA Company (
Private sector
)
#SDGAction46547
    Description
    Description

    The objective of the partnership between The LYCRA Company and ITOCHU Corporation is to bring to scale cooling and warming fiber solutions made from textile waste, thus setting the stage for closing the loop.

    Implementation of the Project/Activity

    Today cutting room scraps of high polyester content are collected from garment makers in south China. These scraps are then depolymerized, using technology licensed by ITOCHU, made into chip, and then spun into specialty COOLMAX(r) and THERMOLITE(r) fibers which are sold by The LYCRA Company.

    Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

    Today, this technology is using pre-consumer waste in the form of textile scraps. Eventually we hope to take back garments, utilizing post-consumer waste to close the loop. The one barrier to reaching this goal is the difficulty in securing a consistent and reliable supply of used polyester garments within China, whereas at present there is no shortage of pre-consumer waste. We are reaching out to new sources such as uniform companies and the government to see if we can procure post-consumer materials.

    Coordination mechanisms

    The LYCRA Company and ITOCHU have a contract which spells out all product, manufacturing oversight and regulatory requirements. The LYCRA Company does annual checks to ensure compliance. In addition, all products are GRS certified.

    Evaluation

    Today COOLMAX(r) and THERMOLITE(r) fibers from 100% textile waste are being sold commercially and interest among brands and retailers is growing. An LCA was done on the chip used to make these fibers and showed that, assuming supply and demand are in relative balance, the chip made from 100% textile waste had 20% lower emissions, used 10% less water, and 39% of the energy used to make virgin chip.

    Partners

    ITOCHU Corporation

    Goal 12

    Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

    Goal 12

    12.1

    Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries

    12.1.1

    Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production

    12.2

    By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

    12.2.1

    Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

    12.2.2

    Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP

    12.3

    By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

    12.3.1

    (a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index

    12.4

    By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

    12.4.1
    Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement
    12.4.2

    (a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment

    12.5

    By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

    12.5.1

    National recycling rate, tons of material recycled

    12.6

    Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle

    12.6.1
    Number of companies publishing sustainability reports

    12.7

    Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

    12.7.1

    Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans

    12.8

    By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

    12.8.1

    Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

    12.a

    Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production

    12.a.1

    Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita)

    12.b

    Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

    12.b.1

    Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability

    12.c

    Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities

    12.c.1

    Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP

    Name Description

    Commercial COOLMAX(r) and THERMOLITE(R) filament and staple fibers made from 100% textile waste.

    Staff / Technical expertise
    ITOCHU combines its recycling technology with the performance fiber technology of The LYCRA Company to develop a performance fiber from 100% textile waste.
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Action Network
    Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network
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    Timeline
    01 June 2020 (start date)
    31 May 2021 (date of completion)
    Entity
    N/A
    SDGs
    Region
    1. Asia and Pacific
    Geographical coverage
    China
    Other beneficiaries

    Key beneficiaries are the garment makers who have a productive outlet for their waste and do not have to send it to landfill or for incineration. Consumers also benefit by being able to wear performance garments with reduced environmental impact.

    More information
    Countries
    China
    China
    Contact Information

    Jean Hegedus, Sustainability Director