This report analyzes the textile waste and leftover materials from Rivatex textile factory, exploring which materials can be used for upcycling and showcasing design examples that demonstrate how textile waste and leftovers can be effectively repurposed into new, circular and marketable products – aligning with the principles of the UPMADE circular design business model.
Textile and garment production is inherently resource-intensive, often resulting in significant waste, including fabric remnants from cutting, defective garments and roll-ends. These materials are frequently
discarded or downcycled, yet they hold substantial potential for repurposing in other ways. Upcycling, a design-driven circular fashion strategy, offers a viable approach by transforming pre- or post-consumer textile waste into new garments, enhancing their value and extending their lifecycle. In the textile industry, textile waste can account for 25–40% of the total fabric used in garment production. Upcycling presents an opportunity to reclaim up to 80% of certain waste types, such as spreading loss and excess fabric.
This report analyses leftover textile materials at Rivatex textile factory, including an assessment of their upcycling potential and evaluates the potential reduction of environmental footprint through upcycling. In addition, it presents examples of upcycled products with design input, showcasing how leftover materials can be creatively repurposed. Moreover, it will provide details of the life cycle assessment of conventional and upcycled long-sleeved jacket production.
Head of Unit, Senior Expert (Green and Circular Economic Transformations Unit)
SEI Tallinn
Project / The main objective of the project is to implement a value-added upcycling strategy within the Kenyan garment and textile industry.
Feature / SEI Tallinn and partners are transferring value-added upcycling method UPMADE to support the deployment of circular solutions in textile production.
Other publication / This report presents key findings from the mapping of textile waste and fabric leftovers at Rivatex, a textile factory based in Eldoret, Kenya.
Feature / Fashion designer Reet Aus and SEI have joined forces to create a new design-based circular business model for battling industrial textile waste.
