Recycling in Textiles

An increasing amount of waste is generated each year from textiles and their production. For economic and environmental reasons, it is necessary that as much of this waste as possible is recycled instead of being disposed of in landfill sites. In reality the rate of textile recycling is still relatively low. On average approximately 10 million tons of textile waste is currently dumped in Europe and America each year. The first section of Recycling in Textiles introduces the subject by looking at the general issues involved and the technologies concerned. Part two explores the chemical aspects of textile recycling. Part three focuses on recycled textile products, including non-wovens and alternative fibers. Finally, the last section discusses possible applications of recycled textiles, including using recycled products in the operating theatre, for soil stabilization and in concrete reinforcement. Considering the diversity of fibrous waste and structures, many technologies must work in concert in an integrated industry in order to have an impact. Recycling in Textiles presents several promising technologies and ideas for recycling systems. This is the first book of its kind to bring together textile recycling issues, technology, products, processes and applications. It will prove an invaluable guide to all those in the industry who are now looking for ways to recycle their textile waste.