The Nature Imperative: How the circular economy tackles biodiversity loss
Published September 2021
Developed through a partnership between the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) and the H&M Foundation, the Green Machine uses a closed-loop system of water, heat, pressure and green chemicals to fully separate and recycle cotton and polyester blends into new fibres. The goal of the partnership was achieved by finding a commercially viable method to recycle blend textiles at scale, in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. The Green Machine’s output are long polyester fibres of good quality, which can be used to make new garments, and cellulose powder, which can be used within the fashion industry and beyond. In 2020, fashion brand Monki released the world’s first collection using fibres produced by the Green Machine.
Biodiversity benefits
The Green Machine turns textile products that would otherwise be landfilled or burned into new fibres – reducing the impacts on biodiversity associated with disposal and new virgin material production.
