Data-driven waste management in textile waste collection industry

Project and customer description:

Texcycle’s innovative approach to waste management is highlighted by the deployment of over 400 sensors across 20 cities, a strategy that enhances efficiency and optimizes resource utilization. Founded in the year 2000 in the coastal city of Varna, Bulgaria, Eurotex embarked on a mission with a focus on the sorting and wholesale of second-hand clothing. Over the years, this vision evolved into what is now known as TexCycle, a pioneering entity at the forefront of developing sustainable and circular solutions within the textile industry. TexCycle is not just a brand; it’s a beacon of innovation aiming to transform the lifecycle of textiles into a closed-loop ecosystem that emphasizes sustainability at every turn.

TexCycle’s growth from a modest start-up to a leader in the textile recycling industry is a testament to its commitment to environmental sustainability. The company’s activities span across the collection, sorting, cleaning, repairs, recycling, and distribution of textile waste, embracing the essence of the Waste Hierarchy to ensure used textiles are repurposed in the most beneficial manner. TexCycle’s relentless pursuit of a circular fashion industry is further evidenced by its involvement in projects that showcase a complete textile-to-textile recycling system, integrating technological advancements with comprehensive solutions.

Challenge:

Annually, TexCycle collects an impressive 3,500 tons of textiles across Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece, establishing itself as one of the largest textile waste collectors in the region. This sets high standards for operational efficiency.

Solution:

More than 400 Sensoneo smart fill-level monitoring sensors have been deployed in TexCycle’s textile waste bins to optimize just-in-time collection. Real-time data flows directly into the Waste Management System (WMS) software platform and is even accessible to citizens through the app.

Impact:

The collaboration with Sensoneo, a leading provider of smart waste management solutions, has been a game-changer for TexCycle. The installation of sensors in textile waste containers has revolutionized how TexCycle approaches the collection process. According to the Communication Manager of TexCycle, Maria Krumova, the primary advantage of this technology is the significant time savings achieved by eliminating the need for manual checks on containers’ fill levels:

“Our main benefit was saving time for collection and picking the waste in the containers only when the sensor gives the notification that it has already filled the capacity.”

Sensor technology as a critical competitive advantage

This technological integration not only optimizes employee work hours but also contributes to a reduction in transportation costs and emissions, aligning with TexCycle’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The avoidance of container overflow and the proactive management of capacity alerts from citizens or municipalities further exemplify the operational efficiencies gained through this partnership.

Key achievements:

TexCycle views the adoption of Sensoneo’s sensor technology as a critical competitive advantage. “We anticipate that the sensors will give us an advantage in terms of saving costs and time, especially if competitor companies do not apply such technology in similar operations,”  the Communication Manager noted. This forward-thinking approach underscores TexCycle’s dedication to innovation and its role as a leader in promoting sustainable practices within the textile industry.