"Textile to Textile" in a quality assured recycling process

Important results from the project

The aim is to contribute to increased textile recycling. The objective has been to clarify how liability issues and forms of requirements along the value chain are developed in order to be able to make demands in the procurement phase that textiles are recycled. The project is based on a case where the Uppsala Region procures rental / washing of textile articles from Elis and where Södra Cell recycles used textiles in its recycling process for cotton. The project has clarified the conditions that need to be met for textiles to be recycled.

Expected long term effects

Through early communication within Region Uppsalas reference groups and politically, it is possible to develop requirements in procurement. Increase costs can be accepted if there is a clear environmental benefit. Södra Cell is still developing its recycling process to be able to receive more textile types. The project has led to improved collaboration between Elis and Södra Cell and increased opportunity to match Elis product development against Södra Cell´s recycling. There is a demand for textile collection, sorting and logistics, which opens up for new business poprtunities.

Approach and implementation

The project has been carried out in the following main parts; External analysis of procurement requirements, Analysis of the procurement process, Analysis of Elis sortiment (composition, volumes, design, etc) , tests of Elis textile articles at Södra Cell and analysis of environmental requirements in the value chain to identify obstacles and opportunities for increased recycling. Due to the corona pandemic, several participants was having less time for the project and thus we extended it by 4 months. Physical meetings and study visits have been conducted digitally.