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Waste in Textile Value Chain

Where are textile fibres used? 2. Home textiles: Cotton, jute, polyester, polyamide
It is crucial first, to comprehend how the textile value chain and acrylic fibre are used in home textiles.
functions as a linear economy to pivot the sector to a circular Textile fibres are used for:
cycle. This chapter elaborates on how waste is created along 1. Apparel textiles: Cotton, viscose, flax, wool, silk, 3. Industrial or Technical textiles: Cotton, jute,
polyester, polyamide, glass, carbon, and ceramic fibre
polyester, polyamide, and acrylic fibres are used in
the value chain. making apparel. is widely used in technical or industrial textiles.

Decoding Waste 4. Garment manufacturing
5. Consumption
6. End-of-life
The Textile & Apparel value chain includes all activities
that provide or receive value from designing, manufac-
Producing fibre for fabric can include using and
turing, distributing, retailing, and consuming a textile TECHNICAL TEXTILES APPAREL HOME TEXTILES
processing natural resources such as cotton, creating
product (or providing the service that a textile product
synthetic fibres such as polyester from crude oil, or a l Medical and hygiene l Formal and Casual Wear l Kitchen
offers). It includes raw material extraction, supply, and
blend of these two. Bandages, plasters, Shirts and T-shirts, jeans, Cleaning cloth, table cloth, tea
activities involving the textile after its useful service
orthopedic beltes, etc. trousers, jerseys, dress and bags, etc.
life has ended. In this view, the value chain has been
Textile fibres can be broadly classified into two sarees, etc.
divided into six stages: l Sports and recreation l Bedroom
categories:
1. Fibre production/ Raw material Extraction Tents and canopies, parachute l Uniforms Bed linen, blankets, rugs,
l Natural fibres
2. Yarn and Fabric production cloth, life vestes, etc. carpets, curtains, mattresses,
l Manufactured (man made) fibres l Footwear
3. Wet Processing upholstery and covers, etc.
l Transportation
Seats and upholstery in l Accessories l Bathroom
automotive, aviation and Scarves, ties, hats, etc. Shower curtains, mats, towels,
Figure 7: Textile Value Chain marine belting airbags, etc. etc.
l Sportswear
l Construction Swimwear etc.
Safety gear, ropes and cables,
geotextiles, etc. l Undergarments
Underwear, socks, hosiery, etc.
l Agricultural
Fishing and aquaculture nets,
horticulture floriculture nets
and mats etc.

l Packaging
Luggage, sack bags, wrapping
bags, tea bags, etc.

Adapted from: Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain, UNEP 2020

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