Rotterdam. Make it happen.
EigenDraads is an initiative in Rotterdam with the aim to valorize valueless textiles (about us).
Textiles that are discarded by consumers and companies of course need to be reworn as much as possible. However, a growing share of discarded textiles no longer holds a value on the second-hand market. Based on an inventory of the characteristics of these valueless textiles, we map the challenge and explore potential solutions. While some of these valueless textiles can be turned into new yarn through mature technologies like mechanical recycling, a significant share of these textiles are left without a valuable destination (more information). We aim to spin the current system around, in Rotterdam, a major transit port for used textiles. To reach this goal we raise awareness on the consequences of the current system amongst governments, industry and consumers, and show the potential benefits of changed behaviours and innovation to turn valueless textiles into valuable resources. And that is not all. Together with regional value chain players and governments we investigate the potential of chemical textile recycling in the port of Rotterdam, with the aim to realize a textile recycling hub. In the Rotterdam spirit: we aim to make it happen.
What we do
Our podcast!
In June 2023 we launched the podcast Rethinking Fashion, together with the City of Rotterdam and BlueCity and in collaboration with sorters from the region. In three episodes we explore the challenges sorters are facing in the region, the opportunities to close the loop on textiles and the obstacles yet to be overcome.
Our new old shirt!
Chemical textile recycling is not a distant future dream, as promising technologies are in development to turn valueless textiles into valuable resources. To materialise their promise we turned garments left behind at the start of the 2019 Rotterdam marathon into a new jersey, together with US-based recycler ambercycle. A single garment, yet a huge step towards recycling at scale.
Rotterdam Climate Deal on Textiles
Together with the City of Rotterdam, we established the ‘coalition of the willing’ in the region as part of the Rotterdam Climate Deal on Textiles. Stakeholders from industry and government explore the feasibility and potential effects of the region as a feedstock suppliers or even as the location for a textile recycling hub.
Feasibility of a circular textiles value chain
Between 2018 and 2022 we investigated the (financial) feasibility of the region as a material supplier for the textiles industry. The business case for sorting for recycling does not seem obvious yet remains possible, as illustrated in our report.
Our partners
EigenDraads 