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Sort to Sustain

Sort to Sustain

To address the gaps in post-consumer feedstock for the development of textile-to-textile recycling in India, FFG has initiated the Sort to Sustain (STS) Project, in line with the broader ambition of the Re-START Alliance. This project focuses on enhancing the quantity, quality, and price of feedstock to support the recycling industry. The project aims to establish a circular textiles system in India by creating a robust collection and sorting ecosystem for widespread recycling implementation. Leveraging insights from the Sorting for Circularity India project, it seeks to scale sorting and pre-processing infrastructure. The goal is to support the expansion of at least four waste enterprises and set up their Textile Recovery Facilities (TRFs) by 2030.

Problem Statement

With the growing pressure on the fashion and textile industries to transition from linear to circular models, there is an urgent need to scale textile-to-textile recycling globally. India has a broad but unorganised value chain for textile waste, with formalised sorting hubs, or Textile Recovery Facilities (TRFs) still being in their early stages. Key learnings from the Sorting for Circularity project in India revealed a critical need for the establishment of collection and sorting infrastructure and the training and development of pre-processing facilities to meet the demands of high-grade recycling industries. The findings underscored that development is needed in three areas: pricing, feedstock quality, and achieving sufficient quantities to meet demand.

Executive Summary

The project aims to valorise at least 1% of annual domestic post-consumer textile waste generated in India, amounting to at least 68,000 tonnes, into the global supply chain by 2030. This would contribute to the overall goal of the Re-START Alliance to meet 1 million tons of recycled fibres by 2030. This involves establishing infrastructure for sorting, resale/re-wearable processes, pre-processing, and high-quality recycled outputs. This project agreement focuses on building capacities until 2027, understanding the challenges and opportunities, and accordingly updating the final quantities of valorised post-consumer textile waste, methodology and business models of TRFs for 2030.

Goals of the Project

  • Support the Scaling of Sorters (Waste Enterprises/TRFs): Enhance sorter capacities to produce high-quality feedstock in large quantities at competitive prices for advanced recycling technologies and reuse opportunities.

  • Create Access to Demand: Secure letters of intent (LOIs) and conduct R&D to validate materials with recyclers to establish long-term offtake agreements, validating feedstock quality in the short term by gathering valuable feedback.

  • Create Access to Technology and Know-How: Pilot and provide access to advanced sorting and recycling technologies, offer a comprehensive sorter handbook, and integrate and contextualise global learnings into local practices.

     

  • Access to Funding and Ecosystem Engagement: Secure funding to increase capacities and support new R&D for operational efficiencies while engaging with ecosystem players and exploring geographical expansion opportunities.

Timeline

The total estimated Project timeline is 3 years however it is subject to change based on the learnings from the project and will be updated in addendum. 

  • Jan-July 2024

    Phase 0: Defining Scope & Finalising Primary Stakeholders

  • July 2024-2027

    Phase 1: Catalyse existing sorters & Develop Capacities

  • July 2025 - 2027 TBC

    Phase 2: Catalyse new sorters & Develop Capacities

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