Closing the loop: textile waste composting for improved carbon footprint and sustainability

The textile industry contributes $2.4 trillion to the global economy. While the industry supports a lively hood of >300 million people, increasing textile waste in the landfills has a significant environmental footprint. In fact, it is responsible for up to 8% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Traditionally, composting is a preferred way to reduce the textile load on landfills. However, contemporary textiles are produced by mixing synthetic non-biodegradable materials such as polyesters with natural and biodegradable fabrics like cotton, reducing its compostability. In addition, inherently toxic additives such as dyes, pigments, etc can further impact soil health. There is a need to find a holistic way of composting textiles that ensures the conversion of cotton into soil carbon. Identifying and incorporating a strategy for textile waste will not only close the loop in the circular cotton economy but provide better end-of-life management. The project aims to support the goal of Circular Cotton by 1)   Optimizing a method for composting cotton fibre: 1a. Evaluation of composting methods using ISO approved state-of-the-art automated biodegradation unit allows simultaneous testing of multiple methods with a continuous biodegradation data log. 1b. Developing novel method to accelerate biodegradation of cotton and carbon sequestration by identifying key microorganisms, beneficial enzymatic reaction 2)     Assessing the impact of composted cotton fabric on soil health and functionality: Using advanced analytical and omics methods to quantify carbon sequestration potential, nutrient cycling due to composted textiles and soil toxicity 3)   Determining the potential of composted cotton fabric to increase soil carbon and microbial activity: Evaluating the temporal changes on soil carbon and microbial activities after applying composted cotton through in-situ trials.