Meet the woman who's revolutionizing how we handle textile waste. Rikke Bech, CEO and founder of NewRetex, joins us from her facility in Denmark to reveal how her company has developed groundbreaking automated sorting technology that's changing the economics of textile recycling.

Five years ago, Rikke saw a gap in the textile industry's approach to waste. While brands were talking about sustainability, the infrastructure to actually recycle clothing effectively didn't exist. Textile sorting remained labor-intensive, imprecise, and unprofitable. Drawing inspiration from the food industry's traceability systems and leveraging advanced technology, she created a solution that sorts post-consumer textiles into 31 different material and color categories with unprecedented precision.

What makes NewRetex truly innovative isn't just the technology—it's their business model. Unlike traditional textile collectors who pay for feedstock and try to profit through resale, NewRetex receives payment from municipalities for their sorting services. They've flipped the economics of textile waste while building a comprehensive data collection system that follows materials from collection through recycling.

We explore the entire process: from initial sorting where approximately 15% of items are directed to reuse, through the automated sorting lines that use near-infrared technology, augmented reality, and RGB scanning to identify materials with incredible accuracy. Rikke explains how their system produces recycled fibers that are being transformed into new yarns and garments, with clear traceability that earned them the distinction of becoming the first sorting company in the world to receive GRS certification.

As Extended Producer Responsibility regulations approach in Europe, NewRetex' scalable technology offers a blueprint for how textile waste can be processed globally. The future of fashion is circular, and companies like NewRetex are building the infrastructure to make it possible.

Check out this fascinating conversation about innovation, sustainability, and how one startup is transforming an industry's approach to waste.

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Join us in this insightful episode as we engage with Steffen, the dynamic co-founder of Eeden, a pioneering startup in the textile recycling sphere. In this episode, we delve deep into how Eeden leverages innovative recycling technologies to reclaim the two most common materials in textiles: cotton and polyester.

Steffen shares his perspectives on the current state of the textile recycling market, unpacking the implications of rising regulatory pressures, investor sentiments, and macroeconomic trends. He contemplates the relationship between supply, demand, and pricing dynamics, stressing the pivotal role regulations play in shaping investor confidence in sustainable solutions. Throughout our conversation, we explore various recycling methods, showcasing the innovations that allow companies like Eeden to effectively manage mixed-fiber waste and create new textile solutions.

As we navigate through the intricacies of recycling technology, Steffen emphasizes the necessity for a holistic approach to sustainability. Effective recycling cannot be just about recycling alone; it requires addressing the entire textile lifecycle to ensure meaningful environmental improvement. We conclude with Steffen's vision for the future of textile recycling, where market acceptance, regulatory support, and technological advancements come together to drive the industry towards a sustainable, circular future. Tune in to learn more about how we can collectively revolutionize the textile landscape for a brighter, greener tomorrow!

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In this conversation, Martijn Lopes Cardozo shares his journey from a corporate career to becoming a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, discussing the challenges and lessons learned along the way. He reflects on his return to Europe, the struggles he faced in replicating his success, and how he found purpose after setbacks. Martijn emphasizes the importance of focusing on purpose over traditional success metrics and discusses his role in the circular economy, particularly through his leadership at Circle Economy Foundation. The conversation also touches on the significance of the Circularity Gap Report and the ongoing challenges in achieving a circular economy. In this conversation, Martijn Lopes Cardozo discusses his work at Regeneration VC, focusing on the excitement of working with entrepreneurs in the impact investing space. He shares insights on the challenges and opportunities within the circular economy, the importance of a solid investment thesis, and the criteria for selecting investments. Martijn emphasizes the significance of geographical focus, particularly in the US market, and highlights innovative solutions to pressing issues like food waste (Orbirsk). He also addresses the need for measurable impact in investments and the challenges of scaling impact startups while balancing financial returns with social and environmental impact.

Carl and Martin already met two years ago creating the first Circular Gap Report on city level with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC. In the conversation, Carl mentioned a circular economy database called Easy Match.

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The landscape of corporate responsibility is changing, and in this episode, we explore how businesses are navigating the transition from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Join us as we speak with Kaitlyn Allen, a serial impact entrepreneur and sustainability expert, who shares her valuable insights on how these frameworks are evolving and the ways they can enhance corporate accountability.

Kaitlyn discusses the pivotal role of the Paris Agreement, which has shifted the narrative around sustainability from marketing fluff to essential business strategy. She explains how ESG practices address the risks associated with climate change and how companies are now compelled to integrate these metrics into their financial reporting. Delving deeper, we explore the repair economy—an emerging field that seeks to redefine consumer behavior by emphasizing the importance of product longevity and sustainability. Through Kaitlyn's work with Mend It, we learn how businesses can implement repair services as a core offering, aligning profit with purpose.

This episode is a call to action for businesses to think differently about their societal impacts and the importance of viewing sustainability as interdependent with their operations. It’s about not just doing good but being structured to create lasting value for all stakeholders involved. Join us as we uncover the future of corporate responsibility and how companies can thrive by prioritizing sustainable practices. Don't forget to engage with us—leave your feedback, questions, or insights, and let's continue this important conversation together!

Please check out Kaitlyn's sites:
www.mendit.app

www.menderguild.com

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In a world increasingly burdened by textile waste, the urgency for sustainable practices in the fashion industry has never been more pressing. Join us for an engaging conversation with Luke Henning, Chief Business Officer at Circ, as we tackle the complexities of textile recycling and the vision behind establishing a true circular economy. Luke shares his in-depth expertise and insights on how Circ aims to reinvent the way we view clothing waste and recycling through innovative technology and proactive industry strategies.

This episode dives into the essence of Circ's mission, emphasizing that striving for circularity goes beyond merely recycling materials. Luke sheds light on the intricate relationships between brands, suppliers, and technologies that drive successful recycling initiatives. Discover how their unique approach to hydrothermal processing sets them apart from traditional recycling methods and why this could be the key to unlocking a sustainable future for textiles.

We also explore the vital role that regulation and EPR schemes play in transforming the industry. Luke explains how these structures can incentivize brands toward greater sustainability while simultaneously addressing economic realities in implementing circular systems.

As we look to the future, Luke shares his optimistic vision for the textile industry's shift toward circularity by 2030, highlighting milestones that can propel us into a new era of environmentally responsible fashion. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the pressing issues at hand and what needs to be done to drive long-lasting change. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation on how we can collectively move toward a more sustainable textile industry!

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This is interactive content - send us your questions to the guests and we record another session just focusing on your questions!

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Contact Us

This is interactive content - send us your questions to the guests and we record another session just focusing on your questions!

You have suggestions for new guests or want to sponsor the show?

• Contact Carl via LinkedIn

Thanks for listening and keep podcasting!