The fashion and textile industries have long been recognised for their environmental impact. However, with the rise of recycled yarn, brands and manufacturers can now embrace a more sustainable and socially responsible production model. Beyond the obvious environmental benefits of waste reduction and lower carbon emissions, recycled yarn also delivers a range of less visible social and environmental advantages. These hidden benefits are key to promoting a greener, more ethical textile industry.
Environmental Benefits: Going Beyond Waste Reduction
- Conservation of Natural Resources: By using recycled yarn, the need for virgin raw materials such as cotton and synthetic fibres is reduced. Virgin cotton, for instance, requires 10,000-20,000 litres of water to produce just 1 kilogram of fibre, while synthetic fibres rely on fossil fuels. Recycled yarn eliminates the environmental degradation associated with these raw material extractions.
- Lower Energy Consumption: The production of virgin fibres, especially synthetic ones like polyester, is energy-intensive. Recycled polyester yarn, which is made from PET plastic bottles, uses 59% less energy compared to virgin polyester. This reduction in energy demand translates into lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the fight against climate change.
- Mitigating Microplastic Pollution: The fashion industry is a major contributor to microplastic pollution, with synthetic fibres shedding microplastics into the water system during washing. Recycled polyester yarn can help reduce this issue by minimising the need for new synthetic materials, thereby curbing microplastic accumulation.
- Landfill and Ocean Waste Reduction: Every year, the fashion industry generates around 92 million tonnes of textile waste. By recycling discarded textiles into yarn, this waste is diverted from landfills and oceans, helping to reduce pollution and environmental degradation.
Social Benefits: Empowering Communities and Workers
- Job Creation in the Recycling Sector: The recycling process involves the collection, sorting, and processing of waste materials, creating employment opportunities in industries that would otherwise have limited job prospects. According to the ILO, recycling operations create 10 times more jobs than traditional waste disposal methods like landfilling or incineration.
- Promoting Fair Wages and Ethical Production: Many companies producing recycled yarn commit to ethical labour practices, including providing fair wages and safe working conditions. Brands that use recycled materials often align with ethical supply chains, ensuring that both environmental and social sustainability are prioritised.
- Economic Empowerment of Marginalised Communities: Recycling initiatives, especially in developing countries, provide economic opportunities for women and marginalised groups who collect and sort waste materials. This not only provides a source of income but also promotes gender equality and economic empowerment in regions where these opportunities are scarce.
- Health Benefits from Reduced Chemical Exposure: Traditional cotton farming relies heavily on pesticides and fertilisers, exposing farmworkers to harmful chemicals. By shifting to recycled yarn, the demand for conventional cotton is reduced, thereby lowering the number of workers exposed to these hazardous substances.
Reducing Fashion’s Environmental Footprint
Recycled yarn is an essential part of circular fashion, a movement designed to reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion industry. By reintroducing waste materials into the production cycle, brands can reduce their reliance on virgin fibres, conserve natural resources, and contribute to the creation of eco-friendly products that align with consumer demands for sustainability.
Maatrishakti: Leading the Way with Recycled Yarn
At Maatrishakti Ecospin Pvt. Ltd., we are committed to producing recycled yarn that aligns with our vision for a sustainable and socially responsible textile industry. Our advanced recycling technologies enable us to transform post-consumer and pre-consumer waste into premium yarns that meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
Our production process minimises water and energy consumption while helping to reduce the environmental impact of textile waste. By choosing Maatrishakti, brands not only gain access to high-quality recycled yarn but also contribute to ethical and eco-friendly production practices that support local communities and protect the environment.
