Amsterdam Reflow Booklet

Auteur
Margherita Soldati

Amsterdam Reflow rethinks the lifecycle of textiles with citizens and stakeholders. The Amsterdam Reflow Booklet addresses the environmental impact of the textile industry through a grassroots initiative focusing on discarded consumer textile. This web page will be updated regularly with new chapters of the booklet. 


 

Amsterdam Reflow Booklet

The chapters of the booklet are based on the circular textile flow, as depicted in the wheel chart below. Starting with chapter 1 about discarding textiles, new chapters of the booklet will be published on this page regularly.

Amsterdam Textile Wheel

List of content (updated weekly)

Chapter 1: Discarding Textiles

Chapter 2: Collecting Discarded Textiles

Chapter 3: Sorting Textile Waste

Chapter 4: Sorting for Recycling

Chapter 5: Cutting and Cleaning

Chapter 6: Shredding for Recycling

Chapter 7: Chemical Recycling

Chapter 8: Mechanical Recycling

Chapter 9: Recycling by Extrusion

Chapter 10: Spinning Recycled Yarn

Chapter 11: Making & Finishing Textiles

Chapter 12: Intro to Sustainable Design

Chapter 13: Intro to Textile Production

Chapter 14: Retail Consumers & End-users

Chapter 15: Recognising Circular Textiles

Chapter 16: Textile Use & Care

 

Chapter 1: Discarding Textiles

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

The textile industry has a high environmental impact, whether it is through the production of the fibres, the processes of making a fabric or textile product, or the use of the final product (e.g. washing,  drying, or ironing). In the context of global climate change, it is  more important than ever to ensure that the amount of energy we put into the textile industry is not wasted. A simple way to conserve energy in the industry cycle is to use one’s textile products for as long as possible. Of course, there may also be times where you no longer want to keep the product. In cases like these, you have several options for prolonging the use of the product (and the materials from which it’s made) to reduce the environmental impact. Here are a few easy ways to extend the life of your textiles (while also helping people and the planet).

read chapter 1

 

Chapter 2: Collecting Discarded Textiles

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 2

 

Chapter 3: Sorting Textile Waste

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 3

 

Chapter 4: Sorting for Materials Recycling

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 4

 

Chapter 5: Cutting and Cleaning

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 5

 

Chapter 6: Shredding for Recycling

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 6

 

Chapter 7: Chemical Recycling

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 7

 

Chapter 8: Mechanical Recycling

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 8

 

Chapter 9: Recycling by Extrusion

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 9

 

Chapter 10: Spinning Recycled Yarn

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 10

 

Chapter 11: Making & Finishing Textiles

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 11

Chapter 12: Intro to Sustainable Design

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 12

 

Chapter 13: Intro to Textile Production

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 13

 

Chapter 14: Retail Consumers & End-users

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 14

 

Chapter 15: Recognising Circular Textiles

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 15

 

Chapter 16: Textile Use & Care

Written by Ger Brinks & Anton Luiken. Edited by Laurie Skelton.
1st of January 2021

read chapter 16

 

About Amsterdam Reflow Booklet

There is no denying that the environmental impact of the textile industry is enormous. From the pesticides and fertilisers used in cotton production to the fossil fuels used in fabric manufacturing, the textile industry’s current practices have dire consequences for our planet and our health. With the looming threat of climate change, we need to rethink the way we create and consume textiles more than ever.

The Amsterdam Reflow Pilot aims to address some of these issues through a grassroots initiative focusing on discarded consumer textiles. Each year, over 11,000 tonnes of textiles are improperly discarded and end up in landfills or incinerators, while only 2,500 tonnes end up in recycling facilities. By empowering Amsterdam citizens with new knowledge and skills, the pilot programme aims to improve the way textiles are discarded, reused, and brought back into the material flow.

The purpose of this publication is to assemble knowledge and educate stakeholders at every stage of the textile industry’s cycle. Firstly, we aim to extend the life of textiles currently in use through encouraging people to reduce consumption and repair or reuse items. Secondly, when items must be discarded, we want to encourage people to do so correctly and responsibly. Finally, we want to educate and encourage citizens, designers, retailers, and manufacturers to think sustainably when creating or buying new products.

To enact real change and move towards a circular economy and a circular textile industry, we cannot act alone. We hope the knowledge collected here encourages and empowers you to do your part in moving towards a more sustainable world.

Reference
Reflow #2: Garen spinnen uit oude kleren (Pakhuis de Zwijger)

 


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This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 820937. #eu #horizon2020