Roundtable Recap - Textile Circularity
The Michigan Materials Marketplace Roundtable on textile circularity, held virtually on February 26th, provided an exciting platform for thought leaders and innovators to come together and share their expertise in tackling the growing textile waste issue. The roundtable, which was hosted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Rheaply and NextCycle Michigan, focused on creating scalable solutions for recycling and reusing textiles to reduce landfill waste and mitigate environmental impact.
Marissa Adler, Senior Consultant at RRS, discussed the rapid growth of textile waste in the U.S. and highlighted the importance of developing effective recovery pathways, including chemical and mechanical recycling technologies.
Sydney Munoz from Goodwill Industries International shared the organization’s success in creating a robust donation infrastructure that spans the U.S. and Canada, helping to divert millions of pounds of textiles from landfills each year. She also spoke about Goodwill's commitment to job training and employment services, connecting sustainability efforts with community development.
Madeline Miller, founder of NexTiles, showcased her Detroit-based textile recycling company, which is helping to turn pre-consumer textile waste from the automotive and fashion industries into eco-friendly products. Through her efforts, NexTiles has diverted over a million pounds of textile waste and has partnered with various industries to create innovative recycling solutions.
Janay Brower, CEO of Public Thread, rounded out the session by discussing the importance of upcycling and local manufacturing, emphasizing how her company is reshaping the way textiles are perceived and processed by integrating circular design principles.
The event included breakout sessions that allowed participants to engage in collaborative discussions and brainstorm new ideas and strategies for advancing textile circularity. Through these exchanges, attendees explored potential partnerships and shared insights on how to strengthen Michigan’s recycling infrastructure. The roundtable also emphasized the critical need for increased policy support and the development of new technologies that can help close the loop in textile waste management.
The collaborative efforts fostered during the event highlighted the power of community and innovation in driving change and building a more sustainable, resilient future for the textile industry.
Watch the recording here: https://rheaply.com/resources/webinars/textiles/