Quantification of energy used and saved by the reuse or recycling of clothes

摘要

The United Kingdom Salvation Army Trading Company Limited (SATC) recycle textiles by providing a collection and distribution infrastructure for donated second hand clothing and shoes. SATC operations include provision of clothes banks, household collection schemes, collection logistics and distribution of clothing to charity shops and regions of the world where there is a requirement for low cost clothing. This investigation was commissioned to determine whether reusing or recycling clothes results in a net energy benefit, or if the recycling operations actually consume more energy than is saved through displacement of new clothing. The energy footprint for the clothes recycling system is quantified. This is calculated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), in this case from the production of energy and materials consumed and the disposal of wastes generated. A streamlined LCA was used which restricted the scope of the study in order to target specific aspects of the footprint, in this case energy consumption. The findings demonstrate that for every kilogram of virgin cotton displaced by second hand clothing approximately 65kWh is saved, while for every kilogram of polyester around 90kWh is saved. These figures take into account extraction of resources, manufacture of materials, electricity generation, clothing collection, processing and distribution and finally disposal of wastes. The reuse and recycling of the donated clothing results in a reduction in the environmental burden compared to purchasing new clothing made from virgin materials. This study is the most recent detailed economic evaluation of energy savings and such detail will be used by regional and national planners in devising future waste management programmes.