Abstract:

Effective utilisation of textile waste requires an accurate prediction of the quality of waste generated. Textile waste in Macedonia mainly consists of apparel cuttings. The aim of this research was to characterize the apparel cuttings waste, define the current state of apparel waste management and the potential barriers against introducing efficient waste management systems. Data was obtained via a structured questionnaire distributed to top managers in apparel manufacturing companies. The results indicated that almost all apparel manufacturers use landfills to dispose of their waste. The analysis showed that the waste stream consisted principally of woven fabrics, predominately cotton and cotton blends, with the presence of lycra. Bearing in mind the waste composition, the most appropriate end use for the pre-consumer waste produced is insulation materials. Considering that the industry consists of small and medium companies with limited resources, there is a low likelihood of individual investments in recycling equipment.