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Lipor, a leading waste management organization in Portugal, yesterday presented its new Pilot Textile Sorting Unit, developed under the Be@t project. With the capacity to process 50 tons of textiles per year, the unit is designed at industrial scale and structured in five stages: feeding, pre-sorting, sorting, accessory removal, and baling, and also includes reception and shipping areas.
The sorting circuit combines human labor with technology. A team of five workers carries out the pre-sorting process, removing contaminants such as wet textiles, footwear, handbags, or other items foreign to the process, while also removing accessories. Complementing this work, optical systems identify with precision the composition and color of each item, ensuring more accurate separation.
At present, 14 classification categories have been defined, based on the physical characterization of collected waste. Items that do not fit into any of these categories are considered rejects and sent to a designated deposit. Once four containers of the same category have been filled, the material moves on to baling. On average, 200 kilograms of waste are needed to form a bale. During the visit, participants were able to follow all of these stages, from manual pre-sorting to category separation, including transport to the optical systems.
The material used in this experimental phase came from an internal collection effort, with contributions from Lipor employees, supplemented by items provided by institutional partners. However, securing outlets for the separated material remains a challenge and represents one of the project’s next steps.
In addition to the inauguration, the day was also marked by several sessions dedicated to textile circularity, bringing together experts and sector partners. In his address, Lipor president José Manuel Ribeiro emphasized the organization’s innovative DNA and the importance of leading by example:
“Our country cannot work toward the average; it needs organizations that go further. The country must always stay ahead, as that is what generates wealth. Then we must use that wealth to ensure prosperity.”
He also highlighted the absence of a national strategy for textile waste collection and treatment. “There is a system for collecting used textiles that does not do justice to the potential of this raw material. Citizens are also confused between the concepts of textile and textile waste. Valuable material is being lost. A standardized procedure is imperative.”
He further defended the need for unified criteria to assess the quality of used textiles and textile waste, stressing: “The circular economy means engaging industry and society as a whole in full value creation.” For José Manuel Ribeiro, the high economic value of textile waste should be seen as a strategic opportunity.
In addition, he underlined the importance of funding to launch sorting solutions, the creation of technical specifications by recyclers, and the implementation of suitable storage models. Regarding the pilot unit, he recalled that it is the first of its kind in Portugal and will serve to generate knowledge and build capacity in the textile sector. “The next step is its optimization and scaling,” he stated, adding that he is confident new business models will emerge from this project.