When waste becomes a raw material: a closed loop system for VEOCEL™
Helmut Glaßl, artist and aphorist, is absolutely right when he muses: „We are still producing too much waste. Should we not finally produce something which makes sense?“ It is true that household waste still represents one of the greatest challenges for environmental protection. And yet, a sustainable solution is available: production using what is known as a closed loop system draws on recycling to save resources and reduce waste.
„Marine Littering“ is the contamination of the world’s oceans and coasts with waste carelessly thrown away or flushed down our toilets. Single-use hygiene products and wet wipes are among the top ten miscreants. And, this is only the waste that we cause and which is visible to us: up to 30 percent of textiles are thrown away as rejects as early as the production phase. And yet, these rejects are a valuable raw material since the remains can be recycled in a closed loop system and returned to production to make new products.
Given our growing consumption and limited raw materials, recycling is becoming increasingly important so that something new and valuable can result from our waste. As a result of recycling in the production chain, waste is nipped in the bud and it cannot then make its way into the environment. Raw materials are put to use again and fewer limited resources are consumed. Companies which make use of a sustainable circular economy, make a major contribution towards environmental protection.
Eco Cycle Technology for VEOCEL™
At the Upper-Austrian company, Lenzing AG, recycling is taken into consideration in the production process of sustainable VEOCEL™ fibers, true to the motto: give waste greater value. Pioneering work is being done with the Eco Cycle Technology introduced last year, as an investment in an eco-friendly future. The Eco Cycle Technology is part of the transition to an even more sustainable production process, which gives a new lease of life to the cotton waste from the production of clothing before the products even get to the shops. This waste, which would otherwise be thrown away, is combined with wood pulp and processed to new VEOCEL™ fibers. Thus old fibers become new and sustainable fibers. And since VEOCEL™ fibers are biodegradable, in this way they return to Nature after use.
To be able to look forward to an eco-friendly future, we need the help of everyone: consumers and companies alike have to do their bit. The former by carefully and correctly disposing of household waste and making a sustainable choice when purchasing hygiene products and wet wipes. The latter by handling waste and resources in their production processes with care.
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