16-08-2012, 11:31 AM
Waste Management in Textile Industry
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Introduction
The existence of human beings on earth is the result of a fortuitous set of circumstances in
which conditions for development of the species were present so that evolution could take
place allowing us to reach our present state of being. Our tenuous continuation could be
jeopardized at any time by changes in these conditions, and this far-reaching effect could
result from shifts which might be totally insignificant by cosmic standards. They could
bring about, for example, our inability to breathe, or stay warm or cool enough, or grow
the food we need. Thus, we are only able to survive because our planet provides all the
sustenance we need without major effort on our part. We can broadly define this set of
conditions to which we are exposed as our environment. One of the minor ways by which
we reduce the risk of premature extinction is to guard our bodies from excessive
temperature fluctuation by the use of textiles. Textiles are also used to make life more
comfortable or convenient for us. Without them, we would find life harsher, and probably
not survive with the same life expectancy as we do now.
Textiles are manufactured to perform a wide range of functions and are made up of
different types of fibres mixed in varying proportions. In general, applications of fibers
belong to the following three broad categories: apparel, home furnishing, and industrial.
Most of the fiber products are for short term (e.g. disposables) to medium term (e.g.
apparel, carpet, automotive interior) use, lasting up to a few years in their service life.
While the textile industry has a long history of being thrifty with its resources, a large
proportion of unnecessary waste is still produced each year. Commercially, textile waste
generation is influenced by the production of textile goods, higher the production, the
greater the amount of waste. This is in turn a function of consumer demand, which is
influenced by the state of the economy. While this may have a limited impact on the waste
production in the manufacturing sector, it can have a much greater influence on the
production of household textile waste. Consumers react to changes in fashion both in
clothing and household interior designs.
Source Reduction
To have little or even zero waste Source Reduction is generally the first step that should be
considered in an integrated waste management system. E.g. avoiding waste generation,
internal reuse of waste, reuse in other products etc
Incineration: It is a process of burning the solid waste to recover the heat energy. E.g. PP
has same heat vale as that of gasoline. Textile waste e.g. short, shredded, loose fibres can
also be reincorporated into a palatalized fuel. But, Incinerator chimneys emit organic
substances such as dioxins, heavy metals, acidic gases and dust particles, which are all
potentially harmful to both humans and the environment. Also, there is a problem
disposing of residual ash which is likely to contain a concentration of toxic material.
Land Fills
It should be the last alternative in an integrated Waste management system. Textile waste
in landfill contributes to the formation of leachate as it decomposes, which has the
potential to contaminate both surface and groundwater sources. Another product of
decomposition in landfill is methane gas, which is a major greenhouse gas and a
significant contributor to global warming, although it can be utilized if collected. The
decomposition of organic fibres and yarn such as wool produces large amounts of
ammonia as well as methane. Ammonia is highly toxic in both terrestrial and aquatic
environments, and can be toxic in gaseous form. It has the potential to increase nitrogen in
drinking water, which can have adverse effect on humans. Cellulose-based synthetics
decay at a faster rate than chemical-based synthetics. Synthetic chemical fibres can
prolong the adverse effects of both leachate and gas production due to the length of time it
takes for them to decay.
Recycling
Recycling is a key concept of modern waste management. Recycling is the reprocessing of
waste materials into new or reusable products. Ninety-nine percent of used textiles are
recyclable. In many applications, especially where metals, glass or polymers (including
synthetic textile materials) are involved, the recycling process can only slow down damage
to the planet. The least expensive and least adverse effect on the environment is when a
component can be recycled into its original product, i.e. so called 'closed loop' recycling.
The second best is when it can be used in another article which usually requires less
demanding properties, for example face car seat fabric being recycled into backing
material.
Advantages of Recycling
• Recycling system uses 20 percent less energy and reduces carbon dioxide
emissions.
• Reducing environmental load through the efficient use of resources and energy and
the recycling of used products.
• Individuals are doing more than promoting the health of the environment through
recycling.
• Recycling include petroleum savings, greenhouse gases reduced, energy conserved.
• Reduces the need for landfill space. Textiles present particular problems. In landfill
as synthetic (man-made fibers) products will not decompose.
• Reduces pressure on virgin resources.
• Aids the balance of payments as we import fewer materials for our needs.
• Results in less pollution and energy savings, as fibers do not have to be transported
from.
Re-granulation
All the type of waste from thermoplastic fibres such as polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyamide, polyester etc. can be processed on agglomeration plants so as to make free
flowing granulates. The granulate can also be used to produce fibres (generally, for lowervalue
application). Important characteristics for the workability of granulates are
sufficient melt viscosity, bulk density and flow ability. They can be used as heavyinsulation
layers (sprinkled onto or sintered onto the backs of moulded parts or floor
covering) or as a powdery binder agent to substitute phenolic resin when producing
thermally bonded nonwovens and mats.