Presenter: Stephen Aber, Marketing & Communications Manager, Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF)
Textile waste is a growing challenge, yet its recyclability remains limited due to complex material compositions, market constraints, and infrastructure gaps. In this session, we’ll examine the scale of the challenge, where textile waste goes once discarded, and the critical distinction between discard and disposal. We’ll explore how fiber composition affects recyclability and how fast fashion exacerbates waste challenges. The session will highlight key barriers to circularity, from degradation in material quality over recycling cycles to the economic realities of end-market demand.
