Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a recyclable elastic yarn that can be woven into stretchy, lightweight clothing. The innovation aims to address the recycling challenges associated with conventional elastic textiles. 

Stretchy garments present a particular challenge for textile recycling. Most elastic yarns combine spandex with polyester or nylon. While this mixture provides strength and flexibility, the different fibres cannot be recycled together. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a new elastic yarn to address this issue. The yarn is made from two polyethylene-based materials that can be recycled together and woven into lightweight, stretchy clothing.  

During laboratory testing, the researchers repeatedly melted and respun the yarn. Even after ten recycling cycles, it retained its original strength and flexibility. This ability to withstand repeated recycling could allow the yarn to remain in use beyond a garment’s first life. The recovered material could also be used to produce other components, including buttons and belt buckles. 

The researchers believe the yarn could be produced at an industrial scale and woven in the same way as conventional spandex fibres. This could support a more circular textile sector by keeping materials in circulation and reducing the need for new production. 

For further information, please read more on Just Style.