Downcycling

Reprocessing discarded textiles to create new consumer or industrial products, in a process that is usually mechanical. Discarded textiles are no longer in their original form, and new products do not re-enter the textile supply chain (open loop). Original textile remains intact (garments cut apart to make wipers). Original textile is shredded or deconstructed to fibers (fill and insulation). Deconstructed fibers are bonded together (geo-textiles and non-wovens). Resins added to discarded textiles to create new, durable goods. It does not include disassembled and/or reassembled garments. Most recycled industrial nutrients (materials) lose viability or value in the process of recycling. This means they can only be used in a degraded form for components other than their original use. White writing paper, for example, is often downcycled into materials such as cardboard and cannot be used to create more premium writing paper.