REVOCIRCLE: DIGITAL SORTING of TEXTILE-WASTE for TEXTILE CIRCULARITY
Project Idea Metadata
- Project Idea Name: REVOCIRCLE: DIGITAL SORTING of TEXTILE-WASTE for TEXTILE CIRCULARITY
- Date: 9/6/2024 1:31:34 PM
- Administrators:
Project Idea Description
REVOCIRCLE:
DIGITAL SORTING of
TEXTILE-WASTE for
TEXTILE CIRCULARITY
Hypothesis: How RevoCircle Revolutionises Global Textile-Waste Sorting
Hypothesis: RevoCircle's digital sorting solution will significantly improve the efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability of textile sorting, including profitability relating to textile circularity addressing the critical challenges faced by the textile industry.
By leveraging advanced IC (integrated Circuits) technology, AI (Artificial Intelligence), Blockchain data security, Robotics, and machine learning, RevoCircle will:
Increase sorting accuracy: RevoCircle’s solution using embedded data:
Physical Integration: Product-related data is stored on revoCircle IC’s, physically attached to the fabric or garment.
Real-time Tracking: This allows for real-time tracking and tracing of the product throughout its lifecycle, from manufacturing to end-of-life while all product data is accessible, enabling automated, highly efficient, high precision, and high volume sorting at low costs.
Enhance sorting efficiency: The digital sorting process will be automated, eliminating the need for manual labour and reducing processing time. This will increase throughput, reduce costs, and enable faster turnaround times for textile recycling.
Expand material compatibility: The RevoCircle sorting system is trained to recognise a wide range of garments and textile materials (also multiple layers), including those that are currently difficult to sort using traditional methods. This will increase the volume of textile waste that can be effectively reused, recommerced, and recycled.
Reduce environmental impact: By improving sorting accuracy and efficiency, RevoCircle will help to reduce the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills or is incinerated. This will contribute to a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.
Enable new business models: RevoCircle will facilitate the development of new business models based on textile recycling, such as rental services, resale platforms, and up-cycling initiatives. This will create new economic opportunities and promote a more circular economy.
In conclusion, RevoCircle's digital sorting solution has the potential to revolutionize the textile industry by addressing the challenges of inefficient, inaccurate, and unsustainable textile sorting practices. By increasing accuracy, efficiency, material compatibility, and sustainability, RevoCircle helps to create a more circular and sustainable future for the fashion industry.
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The Textile Industry Challenge with Textile Sorting
RevoCircle addresses a critical challenge within the textile industry:
the inefficient, imprecise and often unsustainable practices of textile sorting and recycling.
As a result, globally only 1% (1) of used clothes are recycled into new clothes. The remainder (99% of global textile waste) is either incinerated (in landfills) or burned.
This is 92 million tons of textile waste, globally, and this volume is constantly increasing (2).
This problem is multifaceted and impacts various stakeholders throughout the supply chain.
>> Question: who experiences this problem?
>>> Answer: The problem of textile waste and the about none-existence of effective sorting solutions, affects a wide range of organisations, including:
Fashion companies:
Stricter environmental regulations: The European Union and other regions are implementing increasingly stringent environmental regulations to address the problem of textile waste.
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes: Fashion companies may be required to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products, including recycling and disposal.
In light of these challenges, fashion companies must adopt more sustainable practices and invest in innovative solutions to reduce textile waste and mitigate its negative impacts.
It is to be noted that fashion companies are NOT tech-oriented and thus heavily rely on disruptors and innovators to offer to them suitable solutions (services like SaaS, Sorting as a Service). This is where RevoCircle comes in
Increased Costs:
Waste disposal fees: Companies often incur substantial costs for disposing of textile waste in landfills or through incineration.
Regulatory fines: Non-compliance with environmental regulations related to textile waste can result in hefty fines.
Brand damage: Negative publicity associated with unsustainable textile practices can harm a company's reputation and lead to decreased consumer trust.
Textile manufacturers: These companies often struggle to efficiently sort and recycle their textile waste, leading to increased costs and environmental impacts.
Retailers: Retailers face challenges in managing end-of-life clothing and textiles, particularly in terms of sorting and recycling.
Consumers:
Consumers may have difficulty finding appropriate recycling facilities for their used textiles or may be unaware of the environmental consequences of improper disposal.
Consumer Pressure
Growing demand for sustainability and circularity: Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the fashion industry and are demanding more sustainable and circular products and practices.
Boycotts and negative publicity: Companies that fail to address textile waste issues may face boycotts and negative media attention, damaging their brand image.
Waste management companies: These companies often lack the specialised equipment and expertise to sort textiles effectively, leading to contamination of recycling streams.
>> Question: how often is the problem experienced?
>>> Answer: the problem of textile sorting is a persistent issue that occurs throughout the entire textile industry worldwide, by all fashion company, of any any size or scale.
It is not a one-time event but rather a continuous, even continuously growing, challenge that requires ongoing attention and solutions.
>> Question: how painful is the problem for the ones experiencing It?
>>> Answer: the problem of textile sorting can have significant negative consequences for those experiencing it.
For example:
Environmental impact: Improper textile sorting and recycling can lead to pollution, landfill waste, and the depletion of natural resources.
Economic costs: Inefficient sorting practices can increase costs for manufacturers, retailers, and waste management companies.
Regulatory compliance: Failure to comply with environmental regulations related to textile waste can result in fines and penalties.
Brand reputation: Negative publicity associated with unsustainable textile practices can damage the reputation of brands and retailers.
>> Question: would the ones experiencing this problem be willing to (and be capable of) paying money to get it resolved?
>>> Answer: many stakeholders in the textile industry are willing* to invest in solutions to the textile sorting problem, as long as these solutions provide tangible benefits such as:
* Revozona is supported/facilitated by globally leading fashion companies.
Cost savings: Reduced costs associated with waste management and disposal.
Environmental benefits: Improved sustainability and reduced environmental impact.
Regulatory compliance: Adherence to environmental regulations.
Brand enhancement: Improved brand reputation and consumer perception.
The ability to pay for solutions may vary depending on the size and financial resources of individual organisations. However, the potential benefits of resolving the textile sorting problem are significant enough to motivate investment.
>> Question: are there some existing solutions to this problem? If so, why aren’t they effective?
>>> Answer: while some existing solutions exist for textile sorting, they often have limitations:
Manual sorting: Manual sorting is labour-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to human error.
Optical sorting: Optical sorting systems can be expensive and may not be effective for certain types of textiles or contaminants. such system always need a “per item” free view (no obstacles) for recognition.
These limitations contribute to the ongoing challenge of textile sorting and recycling.
>> Question; how a new radical innovative approach might benefit the whole iIndustry in resolving the Problem?
>>> Answer: A new, radical innovative approach to textile sorting could revolutionize the industry by:
Improving efficiency: Developing automated systems that can accurately sort textiles at high volumes and speeds. RevoCircle is here in a leading position.
Reducing costs: Implementing cost-effective solutions that minimise waste and optimise resource utilisation.
Enhancing sustainability: Promoting environmentally friendly practices that reduce the environmental impact of textile production and consumption.
Driving innovation: Fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within the industry.
By addressing the challenges of existing solutions and introducing groundbreaking technologies, a new radical innovative approach could offer a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the textile sorting problem, benefiting the entire industry and contributing to a more circular economy.
New industry arises: Analysis(3) indicates that this industry in Europe could—once it has matured and scaled—become a self-standing, profitable industry with a €1.5 billion to €2.2 billion profit pool by 2030. The textile recycling value chain could create a new, valuable raw material that enables more apparel production in Europe.
Sources:
(1) European Parliament: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20201208STO93327/the-impact-of-textile-production-and-waste-on-the-environment-infographics
(2) Mordor Intelligence: “The market is expected to register a CAGR of over 3% during the forecast period”.
(2) Grand View Research: “The global textile recycling market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2023 to 2030””.
(3) McKinsey & Co: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/scaling-textile-recycling-in-europe-turning-waste-into-value
DIGITAL SORTING of TEXTILE-WASTE for TEXTILE CIRCULARITY
Problem: 99% of textile waste is not recycled due to inefficient sorting
Solution: RevoCircle's digital sorting uses AI & integrated chips enabling robotic sorting
Benefits: Increased accuracy, efficiency, sustainability, circularity
Stakeholders: Fashion companies, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, waste management
Why RevoCircle? disruptive technology, data based sorting
Future: €1.5 billion to €2.2 billion EU profit pool