AI for resource-efficient circular fashion

The main purpose of the project is to identify, design and develop data-driven AI / ML solutions for textile second hand, with special focus on automation of the sorting process for textile recycling. The goal is to create an open dataset of used clothes and then use this to train ML models that can make it easier for textiles.

Challange today

Textiles is the fourth highest pressure category in the EU in terms of use of primary raw materials and water (after food, housing, and transport), and fifth for GHG emissions (EEA). Europeans consume about 11million tonnes of textiles per year and as of today, only 2,8 million tonnes are collected for reuse or recycling.The same is true on a global scale where only 20% of the yearly textile consumption is collected whereas 80% is incinerated or ends up in landfills. To address this a new European Waste Directive has been put forward where it states that by January 1, 2025, EU member states are obliged to have systems in place for separate collection of textiles, which will drastically increase the collected textile volumes and the need for textile sorting for both reuse and recycling. Only in Sweden, 75 000 tonnes of textiles per year is discarded and becomes residual waste and input material for centralheat powerplants.

User Centered Design

To create solutions that provide actual value, the project will apply a user-driven design process where competencies in AI, UX, reuse models for textiles and climate impact know-how merge in close collaboration with problem owners and users. Based on identified needs of problem owners and users operating in the circular textile value chain we will design, develop and pilot AI/ML-concepts. The main goal is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of chosen processing steps with in reuse textile sorting, e.g., support for the user; second hand price setting, brand recognition, trends based on geography and demography, seasons, garment quality (wear and tear)and price for garment as new

The project involves two well-established innovation environments, Wargön Innovation (textile) and RISE (AI and IoT, UX, LCA), together with needs owners such as the Red Cross, Myrorna, BjörkåFrihet, Texaid, HackYourCloset and ShareTex.

Resource efficiency and increased circularity

Project results are expected in, for example, resource efficiency, circularity for textiles, and more efficient and quality-assured sorting processes. The overall goal is to significantly extend the user phase for clothing so that new production is introduced. This will have a very large positive impact on global greenhouse gas emissions, which is also the main theme of this project.