Groundbreaking research on textile recycling and recovery, led by Dr Omid Doustdar, has been featured in a Haptic & Hue’s Tales of Textiles podcast episode.
Depiction of fast fashion
Groundbreaking research on textile recycling and recovery, led by Dr Omid Doustdar, Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham’s School of Engineering, alongside colleagues from a range of international universities, has been featured in Haptic & Hue’s Tales of Textiles podcast (episode 59). The episode, part of a wider series exploring the creation of fabrics, addresses the critical issue of textile waste and explores innovative solutions for sustainable recycling.
The world is facing a growing crisis in textile waste due to global population growth and shorter product lifecycles. This research, which was recently published in Sage Publications as a paper titled The initiation of groundbreaking research on textile recycling and recovery: an eco-friendly perspective on textile and garment industries’ challenges, systematically examines the economic and environmental impacts of the fashion and textile industry. It provides an in-depth analysis of available technologies and methods for textile waste recovery and recycling, highlighting the key challenges, including limitations in large-scale industry, issues with waste classification, and contamination from chemical blends.
Despite advancements in textile waste recycling, the study highlights the pressing need for greater consumer awareness and the development of efficient fibre-to-fibre recycling processes. It serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the current state of recycling and recovery in the textile, garment, and fashion industries.
In the podcast episode, Dr Lisa Macintyre, a co-author of the study from Heriot-Watt University, engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Jo Andrews. The discussion explored the alarming global impact of fast fashion, the environmental consequences of textile overproduction, and the pressing need for sustainable recycling solutions.
This research, led by the University of Birmingham, underscores our commitment to tackling the urgent challenges facing the textile industry through global collaboration. Our research team is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that transform textile waste into valuable resources, reduce carbon emissions, and minimise environmental impact. We look forward to continuing our efforts in sustainable textile recycling and collaborating with international partners to drive positive change in the industry. We are excited to continue our efforts in sustainable textile recycling and welcome collaboration with international partners to drive positive change in the industry.
Assistant Professor
Profile for Dr Omid Doustdar, Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham
