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As of December 2017, we have recycled more than 41,500 kg of clothing through 26 recycling stations in Shanghai

with the support of our growing number of corporate partners.

Our Partners

Through a Closed-Loop System,

we try to ensure that little to none of the valuable resources that went into making our clothing are discarded as waste into landfills and incinerators.

Closed-Loop Recycling Process

In a finite planet, we need to manage our resources more efficiently and intelligently.

Treating old or unwanted items as resources or raw materials for new products, instead of as waste, reduces the need to burn more coal, dig for more oil, pollute more water, or deplete more land.

We employ a Closed-Loop system that attempts to recover all the materials that we collect from the Fiber Project.

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REUSE

Clothing that is still relatively new and wearable are sorted and sent to less-developed countries or regions to be donated or sold to low-income communities, providing them with affordable apparel.

This typically accounts for 25% – 35% (up to 65% in EU or US).

Through our Fiber ReUse program, we select clothing that are in good condition and donate them to children in underprivileged communities in China.

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UPCYCLE

Some clothing are repurposed through creative re-use of its material, and transformed into new products with equal or greater value, using little to no additional energy, water, or other resources.

Even the buttons, zippers and buckles can be re-used.

This accounts for about 8% – 10%.

Our Fiber Upcycle program converts denim and khaki materials into backpacks and pencil cases which are also donated to the children.

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RECYCLE

Most of the clothing we collect is mechanically broken down into raw fiber before they are once again spun into new yarn and woven into new textiles. These are then made into new garments.

As in upcycling, buttons, zippers and buckles can also be recycled.

This accounts for 45% – 55%.

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DOWNCYCLE

The remainder is converted into non-woven textiles where they are typically made into household products like mops and cleaning cloth, or used as insulation and sound proofing material for the construction and automobiles industries.

Other uses include stuffing for toys, sofas and car seats.

When these materials have finally reached the end of their life-cycles, they can be used as feedstock for power generation.

Fiber ReUse

Fiber ReUse is a clothing reuse program that utilizes some of the clothing we collect to address both environmental concerns and social needs.

  • We work with schools in underprivileged communities:
    –  schools for migrant children around Shanghai
    –  schools for disadvantaged children in various provinces
  • Clothing in good condition is selected, cleaned and sorted by migrant workers
  • Children with clothing needs are individually identified
  • Through our Fiber Upcycle workshop, we convert denim and khaki materials into backpacks and pencil cases
  • Each child receives a package of clothing that is appropriate for her/him, including a backpack and a pencil case

Fiber Upcycle

Step 1

From our clothing collections, items of suitable material and condition are sorted and selected.

Step 2

These items are then washed and sent to our upcycle workshop.

Step 3

At the workshop, Xenia (our upcycle workshop manager) designs the backpacks and pencil cases.

Step 4

Our workshop team turns Xenia’s designs into backpacks and pencil cases for the children.

Step 5

These backpacks and pencil cases, together with selected clothing, are then delivered to each child.

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