Globally, less than 1% of textiles collected are recycled into new textiles. Based on previous research conducted, it can be estimated that in NWE, 4700 kilo tonnes of post-consumer textiles, PCT, are generated annually. From this value, nearly 43% is currently being landfilled or incinerated. Nonetheless, of the 57% of post-consumer textiles that are collected in NWE at present, 24% of them are already suitable to be Fibersorted and therefore, have the potential to be used in textile-to-textile recycling. Currently these textiles are being downcycled, landfilled or incinerated. The Fibersort can therefore enable textile resources regarded as low value waste (non-rewearable clothing) to cycle repeatedly through the supply chain, facilitating the flow into textile-to-textile recycling technologies. Once these recycling technologies are fully operational on the market, incentives for collection will increase, therefore the number of textiles available and suitable to be Fibersorted will be larger, hence, diverting into higher-value uses, textiles that are currently being downcycled, sent to landfill or incinerated.

Sorting is largely done manually within the industry. Manual sorting allows for experienced sorters to grade textiles into fractions according to their condition, their quality and their fit to domestic or international markets, all of which are relevant for rewearable clothing. The speed and accuracy of the Fibersort technology, on the other hand, is essential to allow non-rewearable clothing to acquire their full potential by grading them into appropriate material fractions to enter textile-to-textile recycling flows. Still, barriers always exist when implementing a technological innovation. For Fibersort technology to be successfully implemented within the industry, a few identified socio-cultural, physical, economic and regulatory barriers must first be overcome.