Expert Network on Textile Recycling
ENTeR focuses on waste reduction to prevent depletion of non-renewable resources in the textile industry. It will strengthen the innovation capacity of textile companies in central Europe, improve sustainable links among industrial textile areas and foster closer cooperation on waste management and circular economy._x000D_
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The project partners are located in five central European countries with a relevant presence of the textile industry and with a national textile platform each. The project aims to accelerate cooperation between the involved textile territories, promoting a joint offer of innovative services by the main local research centres and business associations (‘Virtual Centre’). It will also involve public stakeholders in defining a strategic agenda and related action plan to drive circular economy considerations and actions._x000D_
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The approach of the project is oriented to the management and optimisation of waste, in a life cycle design (or eco design) perspective. The aim is to demonstrate the benefit of an operational collaborative model amongst research and business partners, based on an online tool and shared skills focused on waste eco design and resource efficiency._x000D_
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Information added on 2020-05-18, regarding the mitigation of the effects of COVID-19 (the coronavirus pandemic that started in 2019) (English language only): The dramatic increase in the need for single-use masks by the population produces a new waste stream for which the recycling potential is unknown. ENTeR partners apply their knowledge to this textile waste in their new pilot. They analyse possible sorting methods, dismantling procedures, cleaning treatments, and recycling processes to minimise the loss of non-renewable resources. As a result, a set of guidelines and best practices will fill this knowledge gap for local authorities, allowing them to adopt sustainable waste management models.