Chemical Recycling Can't Save the Fashion Industry from Its Own Waste

The highly publicized move by Nike to create World Cup jerseys made from recycled textiles through its chemical recycling process has been touted as a step forward for sustainability, but environmental experts warn that this technology is unlikely to make a significant dent in the fashion industry’s massive waste problem. While the company’s use of advanced recycling methods may reduce the amount of microplastics released during washing, it does not address the root cause of the issue: the sheer volume of garments being produced and discarded each year. The jerseys made from recycled materials will likely be worn once or twice before being tossed aside for newer, trendier designs, perpetuating a cycle of waste that is difficult to break.