Textile Recycling Start-Up Pioneers Localised Circularity
Published 06 June 2023
While circularity is becoming a key priority for many, more strategies and initiatives are needed to help ramp up progress. Pioneering start-ups – such as London-based FibreLab – are taking a localised approach, with services that support smaller independent businesses and benefit the regional economy.
Focused on circular, regenerative and transparent solutions, FibreLab acts as a go-to for fashion brands in urban environments looking to improve practices in their supply chains.
Its custom services – which include textile waste collection and recycling, material development and sourcing, and consultancy on waste management – are designed to be convenient, accessible and affordable.
A brand can schedule a collection of its leftover textiles (regardless of composition or whether the pieces are too small or damaged to be used) to be shredded into fibres ready for reuse. FibreLab can then help to develop applications for this raw material, for use in-house or to be traded with other local businesses. Previous solutions have included padding for puffer jackets, fibre-based plastics and papers (see its recently launched own-brand paper product Papertex) and biocomposite material developments.
Also hoping to make a dent in textile waste in other local industries, the start-up is seeking out new partnerships and unexpected waste streams. For example, a recent project saw two tonnes of textiles recovered from film sets.
We expect to see more resilient, hyperlocal initiatives emerge – especially those that, like FibreLab, are accessible, supportive and collaborative and advocate using locally abundant resources and waste streams.