Enviu Advances Circular Textile Value Chains Through Recycling and Reuse Initiatives
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Nonprofit organisation advances circular textile value chains across India, Kenya and Bangladesh through textile recycling, reuse and secondhand clothing initiatives.
Global nonprofit Enviu is expanding its circular textile initiatives across India, Kenya and Bangladesh through a portfolio of programmes aimed at reducing textile waste, increasing material reuse and supporting circular business models.
Founded in 2004, Enviu develops business models that address environmental and social challenges by working with governments, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders. The organisation operates from offices in Rotterdam (Netherlands), Bangalore (India), Nairobi (Kenya) and Jakarta (Indonesia).
According to the organisation, it aims to divert 5,000 tonnes of textile waste over the next five years through its circular textile initiatives.
Four Programmes Focus on Circular Solutions
Enviu's work is organised under four key programmes:
- Enviu Textiles
- Enviu Agrifood
- Enviu Zero Waste
- Enviu Mobility
Within the textile sector, Enviu Textiles is developing circular value chain models through four initiatives:
- The Good Felt
- Second Spin
- Re-Mined
- Qilín
The Good Felt Converts Low-Quality Textile Waste
The The Good Felt initiative focuses on recycling low-quality, polyester-rich garments that are typically rejected by conventional recyclers.
These discarded textiles are processed into nonwoven felt sheets, which are used in products such as:
- Fashion accessories
- Acoustic panels
- Soundproofing materials
The initiative aims to create value from textile waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Second Spin Recycles Hotel Linen
Second Spin, formerly known as Retex, collects end-of-life hotel linens and converts them into new products including:
- Yarn
- Felt
- Paper
- Ropes
- Home textiles
The programme has diverted more than 45,000 kilograms of used hotel linens from landfills through partnerships with over 30 hotels.
Commenting on the initiative, Prashanth Rajkumar, General Manager of Citadines OMR Chennai, said the partnership has helped reduce textile waste while encouraging greater responsibility among staff and guests.
Re-Mined Gives Denim a Second Life
Enviu's Re-Mined programme focuses on circular denim production.
Post-consumer denim garments are:
- Collected and sorted
- Shredded into fibre feedstock
- Blended with virgin cotton and denim mill waste fibres
- Converted into new denim fabrics
The recycled fabrics are then supplied to apparel manufacturers and fashion brands.
Qilín Connects Buyers and Sellers
Qilín is Enviu's digital marketplace designed to connect buyers and sellers of secondhand clothing, helping extend garment lifecycles while reducing textile waste.
Over 1,000 Metric Tonnes of Textile Waste Diverted
According to Enviu, its textile initiatives have collectively diverted 1,003 metric tonnes of textile waste from landfills to date.
In April, Enviu and the Circular Apparel Innovation Factory received the Collaborative Sustainability Initiative Award from the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) for their work under the Closing the Loop programme, which includes The Good Felt and Second Spin initiatives.
The organisation continues to expand collaborative efforts to strengthen circular textile value chains through recycling, reuse and innovative business models.