circular economy
DIAGRAM AND GLOSSARY
In gray, the stages of traditional and linear textile value chains. In green, the new stages of the value chains incorporated by the circular economy, forming a new model of textile circularity.
RECYCLING
Valorization of transforming a waste for reuse, not necessarily in its original form or for the same purpose.
mechanical recycling
A low-impact mechanical process that transforms textile waste into recycled fiber using minimal amounts of water or chemicals.
CHEMICAL RECYCLING
A set of chemical processes that break down fibers to create a new one.
REUTILIZATION
Any operation in which products or components that are not waste are used again for the same purpose for which they were designed.
ENERGY VALORIZATION
Transformation of waste into slag, ash, and gases with minimal pollutant production, resulting in a significant reduction in waste volume.
REMANUFACTURING
Modifying a used product (at the end of its useful life) to obtain a product that has the same or better characteristics than a new one.
DOWNCYCLING
Transforming a discarded product into a product with lower value due to the loss of material quality.
UPCYCLING
Transforming a discarded product into a higher-quality product or one with greater value.
ECODESIGN
Design that takes into account environmental aspects at all stages of the product development process, aiming to create products with the least possible environmental impact throughout their life cycle.