Mitaka City launches fibre to fibre textile recycling with residents

Mitaka City has partnered with the Textile Circular Network (TC-Net) to launch a demonstration project aimed at recycling used clothing back into new fibres, tackling the issue of textile waste head-on. The city held its first public collection event on November 16 at the 13th Fujimi Festival, drawing strong participation from local residents.

In Japan, approximately 780,000 tonnes of clothing are discarded annually, with most ending up incinerated. Mitaka City faces a similar challenge, where a significant portion of household textile waste is treated as combustible rubbish. This new projec began in July, and seeks to establish a socially implemented, community-based system for fibre-to-fibre recycling.

To counter the linear model of disposal, the city and the Osaka-based TC-Net are challenging the current system by creating a local loop for textiles. The project’s goal is to build a framework where used garments collected from residents can be processed back into raw fibres for use in new products.

The one-day collection drive at the Fujimi Festival served as the project’s first major public engagement. A dedicated booth collected used clothing brought from residents’ homes, and participants received an upcycled coaster as a token of appreciation. The commitment to circularity was visible at the event itself, as the booth’s tablecloth and the specialised collection boxes were also made from recycled fibre materials.