Understanding how to reduce textile waste is essential to ensure more environmentally and financially sustainable production. Eliminating waste is also essential for your profitability and productivity.
In this text we bring together some good practices that help reduce waste from the textile industry and also demonstrate the importance of these actions. Check it out!
Why is it necessary to have good textile waste management?
Textile waste is the excess and leftovers from all textile production. They can contain paints, chemicals and other toxic products that, if not disposed of correctly, cause damage to the environment.
The problem lies in the constant increase in demands. Even though this is an important factor for the development of the textile sector, it is necessary to know how to balance accelerated evolution with environmental responsibility.
According to data from the Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning and Special Waste Companies (Abrelpe), cited by CNN, Brazil discards more than 4 million tons of textile waste per year. However, these residues are not always correctly disposed of.
In this context, it is necessary to highlight that Law 1º 12.305/2010 establishes the National Solid Waste Policy. She states that the incorrect disposal of textile waste is considered an environmental crime. Burning outdoors or in containers, without proper supervision, is one of them.
Even so, the equivalent of a truck of clothes arrives at landfill or incineration every second, as pointed out in an article by Recicla Sampa. Furthermore, less than 1% of textile fibers are recycled and intended for reuse in new pieces.
And this poor waste management can cause an estimated global economic loss of 500 million dollars per year. After all, these excesses are often the result of waste and errors in the industry.
On the other hand, 35% of textile waste in Brazil can be recycled. And only 3% of dry waste and 1% of organic waste actually go through this process.
Therefore, to ensure sustainable, responsible and profitable growth, the textile industry must understand its role in society. It is necessary to start applying waste management actions that aim to reduce waste through optimized, efficient, productive, agile and automated activities.
Good practices to ensure efficient waste management
Given the importance of waste management actions, it is possible to mention some good practices that contribute to correct management.
The first of them is, without a doubt, recycling. It is possible to carry out this process with the help of companies, which use the sector’s waste for other purposes, or donations to NGOs. These entities generally use it to sell or make new parts.
However, the automotive sector uses discarded parts to clean products. The sports department fills bags, for example, with these fabrics. Not to mention the artisans who use them to develop their arts.
It is also possible that the textile industry itself reuses this waste to manufacture new products with its scraps. This action will help reduce costs when purchasing materials and will also enable the development of an alternative line.
Here you can practice the concept of Circular Economy . To achieve this, products must be produced with the idea of reusing cyclical flows. This practice reduces operational costs and increases the reuse of raw materials in the industry.
Furthermore, it is necessary to hire experienced and professional labor, in addition to qualifying them whenever possible. This helps to reduce errors and, consequently, the production of waste and waste.
It is worth noting that all of this also contributes to building a good marketing image and customer satisfaction. A Capterra study states that 7 out of 10 consumers say that the company’s sustainable actions influence them when choosing a product/supplier.
Furthermore, 79% of Brazilians are inclined to support companies that have sustainability as a value. And for that reason, they are willing to pay more for a sustainable product.
How can technology be an ally at this time?
In addition to the good practices already mentioned, it is necessary to reinforce the main one: good planning and production control and cut. To achieve this, production must be resized through optimization and good structuring.
Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the cut well, standardize the raw materials and make better use of the molds. All this can be done with the support of technology and intelligent, modern and automated machinery.
The tools that help in this process prevent incorrect cuts from being made that make the fabric unusable. In this case, Artificial Intelligence is often used to correctly collect data on the useful area, weight and yield of the roll.
Delta solutions collaborate with this practice
Here we can mention Delta’s machines as an example of technological equipment that helps reduce waste and costs, in addition to promoting greater productivity and optimization.
The Relaxer eliminates the conventional 24 and 48 hour rest period and carries out the process in just a few minutes. It also automatically calculates the weight and yield, provides real information on the width and length of the roll and, consequently, eliminates dimensional defects in the cut pieces.
In addition to this machine, we can mention Edge Trimmer KTS100 iConcept Opti Cut. This equipment optimizes the cutting of knit and fabric edges, with the help of technology, its optical sensors and automated adjustments. It performs the function at a speed of 70m/min.
Another piece of equipment in the extensive Delta portfolio that also contributes to reducing material waste is the Electric Transverse Cutter. The agility of this tool cuts fabrics and knits at the exit of the reviewers in a non-stop, ensuring safety and assertiveness.
All of this saves time and money, as well as standardizing processes and delivering a quality final product.
The technology of this tool is an ally of the textile finishing phase by allowing better use of materials. Adopting the use of intelligent machines is the same as investing in more efficient production and aimed at reducing environmental impacts.
That is why it is important to reinforce investment in quality textile machinery.
Invest in textile innovation
As we have seen throughout the text, it is extremely necessary for the textile industry to achieve the correct balance between evolution and sustainability. Only in this way will it be possible to ensure the quality and sustainable properties of products.
And if you want to understand more how innovation can help you in this process, in addition to reducing costs and increasing competitiveness, download our guide for free by clicking the button below.
