LoopFinder –locating circular solutions and closing the textile loop

AI Quick Summary

Currently,  no single, comprehensive source where stakeholders can find answers to essential questions such as "who can recycle which textiles" exists. Instead, information is fragmented across different providers, reports, and networks. As a result, finding the right solution for waste textiles is slow, inefficient, and often impossible without extensive research. To overcome the above-described challenge, we want to develop a blueprint for a centralized database that brings together all relevant information on textile recycling and potentially other circular solutionsin Switzerland, including: ·        Material-specific recycling options and limitations ·        Available and emerging technologies ·        Lists of recyclers and their capacities In Switzerland, clothing consumption is high — with many garments worn only once or twice before disposal. Around 62% of clothes are separately collected and exported for reuse or recycling, yet the destination and impact remain largely unknown. At the same time, there is a pressing need for both changed consumption patterns and effective circular end-of-use solutions to reduce environmental impacts from textile consumption.A growing number of circular solutions for textiles are being developed. Recycling, repairing and reusing not only clothing and shoes but also other fabric-based products. But these solutions are scattered: Many are small-scale or start-ups. They often work only for certain materials. Complexities like mixed fibers or disruptive components make recycling harder.  ChallengeThere is no single, comprehensive source where stakeholders can find answers to essential questions: Who can recycle which textiles? Which technologies are proven and available? Where are the gaps in current recycling capabilities?  Instead, information is fragmented across different providers, reports, and networks. As a result, finding the right solution for waste textiles is slow, inefficient, and often impossible without extensive research. To overcome the above-described challenge, we want to develop a blueprint for a centralized database that brings together all relevant information on textile recycling and potentially other circular solutionsin Switzerland, including: ·        Material-specific recycling options and limitations ·        Available and emerging technologies ·        Lists of recyclers and their capacities   Further, the database should be connected to corresponding European platforms (e.g. Refashion’s platform) that were or are going to be established within the EPR networks.  

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: LoopFinder –locating circular solutions and closing the textile loop
• Date: 8/28/2025 12:24:24 PM
• Administrators:
  • Maja Wiprächtiger

Project Idea Description

In Switzerland, clothing consumption is high — with many garments worn only once or twice before disposal. Around 62% of clothes are separately collected and exported for reuse or recycling, yet the destination and impact remain largely unknown. At the same time, there is a pressing need for both changed consumption patterns and effective circular end-of-use solutions to reduce environmental impacts from textile consumption.
A growing number of circular solutions for textiles are being developed. Recycling, repairing and reusing not only clothing and shoes but also other fabric-based products. But these solutions are scattered:

• Many are small-scale or start-ups.
• They often work only for certain materials.
• Complexities like mixed fibers or disruptive components make recycling harder. 

Challenge
There is no single, comprehensive source where stakeholders can find answers to essential questions:

• Who can recycle which textiles?
• Which technologies are proven and available?
• Where are the gaps in current recycling capabilities? 

Instead, information is fragmented across different providers, reports, and networks. As a result, finding the right solution for waste textiles is slow, inefficient, and often impossible without extensive research.

To overcome the above-described challenge, we want to develop a blueprint for a centralized database that brings together all relevant information on textile recycling and potentially other circular solutionsin Switzerland, including:

• ·        Material-specific recycling options and limitations
• ·        Available and emerging technologies
• ·        Lists of recyclers and their capacities

Further, the database should be connected to corresponding European platforms (e.g. Refashion’s platform) that were or are going to be established within the EPR networks.

Currently,  no single, comprehensive source where stakeholders can find answers to essential questions such as "who can recycle which textiles" exists.

Instead, information is fragmented across different providers, reports, and networks. As a result, finding the right solution for waste textiles is slow, inefficient, and often impossible without extensive research.

To overcome the above-described challenge, we want to develop a blueprint for a centralized database that brings together all relevant information on textile recycling and potentially other circular solutionsin Switzerland, including:

• ·        Material-specific recycling options and limitations
• ·        Available and emerging technologies
• ·        Lists of recyclers and their capacities