Y I Recycled Textile Fibers : The Challenge for the Twenty - First Century

As landfill costs rise, so does the pressure to increase recycling of nonhazardous waste. A study was conducted to determine the attitudes of textile manufacturers towards market acceptance of recycling textile fibers into new textile products. A questionnaire elicited responses from 90 of 157 manufacturers in seven textile Standard Industrial Codes (SICS) in North Carolina, including small, medium and large-sized companies. Survey results produced a profile of current practices and attitudes and pointed out market barriers and strategies. The three strongest barriers to recycling mentioned were lack of market, lack of equipment and cost of product. Suggested marketing strategies included pricing on the low end and cooperative advertising.