Sorting

Sorting Steps

Sorting process

After unloading the collected raw material, the first sorting step consists of removing non-textile items and sorting based on type. This means that, for example, trousers are sorted together, as well as sweaters, T-shirts, and other garments.

After this step, the textiles are transported to the fine-sorting area, where garments and shoes are sorted again, this time based on quality. The training, expertise, and years of experience of our team play a crucial role in this process.

We sort textiles based on constantly evolving trends and demand in the second-hand market, taking into account unique variables for each market, such as culture, climate, sizing, and more.

When the sorting steps are completed, the finished products must be packaged for transport. Various packaging methods are used depending on the purpose of the end products and customer demand.

In general, all packaging methods can be summarized into three options: unpressed woven bags, small pressed bales, and larger pressed bales. All bags and bales are assigned a unique ID using our EPS software system.

The bags and bales are then stored in our warehouses until a full container or truck is ready for transport.

Traceability and Transparency

Our internally developed EPS system is unique because it provides detailed traceability throughout the entire sorting process. All aspects of our sorting operations are managed by this system, from the input at our facilities to sorting and the final destination at the end of the lifecycle.

Combining this data provides valuable insights into our textile waste and offers stakeholders the transparency they need to manage shared responsibilities.

By combining our EPS software with the MangoStone collection system, the scope is expanded by also adding collection data to reports, resulting in a fully digital overview of the post-consumer supply chain.

Sorting for Recycling

Sorting for recycling is often highlighted as an important innovation to efficiently process non-reusable textiles. As circular recycling requires different and often significantly more detailed sorting methods, sorting for recycling is a crucial step towards a fully circular industry.

Erdotex Group invests heavily in sorting for recycling and has developed an internal material scanner for this purpose. In addition, Erdotex tests initiatives for material pre-processing to create the most effective and efficient solutions for producing recycling raw materials.