A Deep Dive into China’s Waste Textile Recycling Market: Policy, Technology, and Economic Impact
Section I: Overview of the Waste Textile Recycling Industry The “Classification and Codes for Waste Textiles” (GB/T38923–2020) categorizes waste textiles into waste textiles and used textiles . Waste textiles , also referred to as production process waste, are discarded textile raw materials or semi-finished products generated during the various production stages of spinning, weaving, and manufacturing finished products (such as garments, apparel, and home textiles). Examples include waste materials from spinning cleaning, cotton carding processes (e.g., fluff, floor scraps, or combed waste), and discarded yarns, fabrics, or scraps during the processing of finished products. Used textiles generally refer to textile products that have lost part or all of their utility or fashionability, such as worn-out clothing, unused home textile products, or outdated inventory. These constitute the primary sources of used textiles. Further categorization can...