Accelerating Circularity Inc. launches textile recycling initiative

New York-based Accelerating Circularity Inc. has launched Building Circular Systems (BCS), which aims to create scale in textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling systems.

The organization says its previous T2T trials have demonstrated the successful replacement of virgin fibers in yarns and fabrics that targeted a minimum of 40 percent recycled cotton or recycled polyester. Each of the new materials were run at standard industry minimum order quantities.

The program’s objectives are to significantly increase volumes of materials, develop new tools and expand circular system education based on the learnings from Accelerating Circularity's previous work, the organization says. This next phase will include collaborations with additional partners and a wider geographic scope.

Accelerating Circularity says BCS provides participants opportunities to witness the capabilities and challenges of circular systems by building the tools necessary to commercialize T2T at the industry scale and connecting with others on T2T regulations.

BCS features three workstreams:

• building markets through expanded trials in both the U.S. and European Union;
• creating the Textile Hierarchy Tool, which outlines pathways for used textiles to maximize resource savings and reduce environmental impacts; and
• educating and providing access to information and available tools on circular T2T systems.

“This milestone marks a major step forward in ACP’s efforts to build commercial circular textile-to-textile systems, provide industry tools and deliver on education and knowledge allowing companies to transfer learnings to their sourcing strategies,” says Karla Magruder, founder and president of Accelerating Circularity. “We are driving positive change in the supply chain through collaboration and leading the way toward our vision of a world where textiles are no longer wasted.”

Accelerating Circularity will host a webinar Feb. 29 to discuss BCS.