The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Sungwhan) announced that on September 9, it will sign a business agreement for a pilot project to establish a recycling system for waste fabric scraps generated from sewing factories, with the textile, fabric, and cement industries as well as textile-related associations*, at the Ministry annex conference room in Eojin-dong, Sejong.

* Pang Rim, Sewang, Sinhan Spinning & Textile, Ssangyong C&E, Asia Cement, Korea Recycling Service Agency (KORA)

Prior to this agreement, in January last year (2024), the Ministry signed a business agreement with four basic local governments in Seoul (Jongno-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Seongdong-gu, and Dobong-gu) and the KORA, and has been conducting a pilot project to shift waste fabric scraps to a material-recycling-centered system. Through the pilot project, waste fabric scraps that had been incinerated or landfilled are now being separated by material, sorted, and recycled into products such as shoe midsoles, automotive sound-absorbing materials, and thermal covers.

The pilot project under this agreement aims to expand the scope of recycling from the existing agreement. Cotton will be produced from the separated and sorted waste fabric scraps and used as raw material for yarn, fabric, and clothing products. Intermediate processed fuel, selected and processed to specific standards and materials, will be used as fuel by cement companies.  

The KORA, which participated in this agreement, plans to cooperate in ensuring smooth supply of raw materials and recycling to its member companies and agreement participants through the separation and sorting of waste fabric scraps.

The textile and fabric industry will support the use of textile and fabric raw materials produced through sorting and processing, as well as the export and sale of the finished products, while the cement industry will actively support the smooth handling of the sorted and recycled intermediate fabric-derived fuel.

The Ministry will oversee and implement this pilot project, providing administrative support and institutional improvements to ensure the smooth execution of waste fabric scrap separation, collection, and recycling systems. In addition, it plans to continuously evaluate the recycling performance of waste fabric scraps and reflect the results in policy. 

Kim Go-eung, Director General of Resources Circulation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, “The separation, sorting, and recycling of waste are essential elements for producing high-quality recycled raw materials.” He added, “To establish a circular system, we will continue to identify and expand various measures so that the supply of excellent recycled raw materials and the securing of demand sources can be balanced.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com