The Global Clothing and Textile Recycling Market
According to Valuates Reports, a market research firm based in India, the global clothing and textile recycling market is projected to reach a value of 20.2 billion US Dollars by 2031.
As stated, the global clothing and textile recycling market was valued at 13.6 billion US-Dollar in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 5.9 percent during the forecast period. This sector focuses on recovering value from discarded apparel, footwear, and fabric-based products through organized collection and processing systems. Furthermore, it supports waste reduction while enabling the reuse of fibers, materials, and finished goods across multiple applications.
“Growing environmental awareness and sustainability commitments encourage greater participation from brands, consumers, and recycling organizations,” Valuates Reports emphasized. “Recycling initiatives address challenges related to landfill overflow and resource depletion. The market includes sorting, processing, resale, and material recovery activities that extend product lifecycles. Collaboration between manufacturers, retailers, and recycling operators strengthens supply chains. As circular economy practices gain acceptance, clothing and textile recycling becomes an essential component of sustainable fashion systems and responsible material management strategies globally.”
The primary market for textile recycling is Europe, thanks to its strict waste management policies, extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, and increasing consumer demand for sustainable fashion. “Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and France lead in textile collection and recycling infrastructure.”
Asia-Pacific is identified as a fast-growing region because of high textile production, growing waste volumes, and emerging circular economy frameworks in countries like India, China, and Bangladesh. “Government-led initiatives and low-cost recycling technologies are promoting large-scale textile recovery,” the market research company informed.
(Published in GLOBAL RECYCLING Magazine 1/2026, Page XX, Photo: Liera / stock.adobe.com)
