Researchers at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Texaid in Switzerland have developed new methods to spin the old clothing into a coarse yarn which is suitable for making carpets. These design and material researchers also created prototypes from the short fibers and even from the dust which arises when fabrics are torn. These prototypes could be used for noise insulation and finding new methods to spin fine yarn from used textiles -- so fine that it can be used to manufacture new clothes again. The purpose of the new research is to make these textiles be recycled for high-quality uses

With its headquarters in the Canton of Uri and one of the leading service providers of textile recycling in Europe, Texaid  collects around 37,000 tonne of old clothes in Switzerland each year. Around 30 percent of these textiles collected are in too poor condition to be worn again as second-hand clothing.