Mathematical Programming-Based Approach for Recycling Technology Allocation in Textile Waste Systems

This study develops the Waste-Recycling Technology Allocation Pathways (WTAP), a linear programming (LP) model that optimizes textile waste allocation across mechanical, chemical, non-woven, and landfill technologies within reverse logistics networks (RLNs). The model minimizes carbon footprint while maximizing waste to technology allocation. WTAP incorporates four textile waste types that include pre-consumer, post-consumer, side-stream, and throwback waste to represent both closed- and open-loop pathways. Two case studies that applied a functional unit of 34,088 t/y of recyclable textile waste evaluate 100 % cotton waste and cellulose-rich blended waste. Case 1 allocated 44 % of cotton waste to mechanical recycling and 56 % to non-woven process that results in 0.76 tCO2-eq/t waste processed. Case 2 distributes blended waste across chemical recycling at 29 %, mechanical recycling at 15 %, and non-woven process at 56 % that yields 1 tCO2-eq/t waste processed. These results demonstrate the importance of technology-material matching in reducing environmental burdens. WTAP supports data-driven decision-making for sustainable textile waste management and circular economy policy compliance.