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Economy & Infrastructure

The end of fast fashion?

In a world where fashion is often produced quickly, cheaply and for a short life cycle, the recycling of clothing is of crucial importance for the environment. According to the Federal Environment Agency, the recycling rate for textiles in Austria is just 17 per cent - an alarming figure given the enormous quantities of clothing that are produced and disposed of worldwide.

But there is hope in the form of ground-breaking research being carried out at the Josef Ressel Centre at the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt in Tulln.

The future of textile recycling: research at the FH Wiener Neustadt

The Josef Ressel Centre for Textile Recycling Strategies (ReSTex) was only opened in January of this year and has ambitious goals. Under the direction of Christian Schimper, seven researchers are working on developing methods to break down used textiles into their individual components. This is no easy task, as many textiles consist of mixed fabrics and recycling is therefore technically challenging.

FH Wiener Neustadt leads the future of the textile industry

The main aim of the project is to reintroduce these materials into the economic cycle, similar to what happens with plastic bottles that are recycled into plastic film. Research at the ReSTex Centre is carried out in close collaboration with BOKU and TU Vienna, which enables an interdisciplinary approach and increases the project's chances of success.

At a time when the fashion industry is leaving an ever-increasing ecological footprint, the research at the ReSTex Centre is a glimmer of hope for a more sustainable future. Innovative recycling methods and collaboration between science, industry and politics can make an important contribution to protecting our environment.

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Source: red, noe.ORF.at

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