Weaving a Sustainable Future: Zero-Waste Textiles in Chile

Rosario Hevia founded Ecocitex in 2020 to address Chile’s escalating textile waste issue. The company recycles unusable textiles into yarn, which is then sold to clothing manufacturers.

In 2021, it was reported that 39,000 tons of textile waste were dumped in informal landfills in the Atacama Desert in Chile, much of it potentially imported from Asia, Europe, the USA, and Canada. While Chile has a large secondhand clothing market, the country lacks sustainable solutions for textiles that cannot be reused.

Textiles are a significant contributor to climate change. The World Wear Project estimates over 92 million tons of textile waste are generated globally each year, with 60% ending up in landfills. Textiles have a larger carbon footprint than plastic, as shown in a study by Zero Waste Scotland.

In response to this challenge, Hevia started Ecocitex in Santiago, Chile's capital, to turn textile waste into recycled yarn. The company was born out of Hevia's earlier experience with Travieso, a marketplace for used baby clothing. She saw a growing problem with textile waste, particularly the 880 pounds of unusable baby clothing she received each month by late 2019. This led her to found Ecocitex and invest in a yarn factory to recycle damaged clothing into usable yarn.

Ecocitex’s model revolves around donations, with customers paying for the recycling of damaged textiles. 70% of its income comes from selling recycled yarn, and the company also produces other items like beanies, hats, and knitting accessories. It ensures that no textiles go to landfill or incineration, and processes one ton of textiles weekly.

The company’s recycling process involves removing non-textile elements like zippers, buttons, and sequins. The textiles are sorted by color, shredded, and processed into yarn, resulting in unique products. For every ton of textile waste, Ecocitex produces 10,000 balls of 100-gram yarn, which are sold online and to a network of over 260 women-led businesses in Chile.

Through its partnerships, including with IKEA, Ecocitex has expanded production and increased its positive social impact. The company has also donated items such as wool caps to the homeless, especially during the pandemic.

Hevia’s commitment to a circular economy has made Ecocitex a multi-award-winning enterprise, recognized for its innovation and social contributions. The company’s model not only reduces textile waste but also empowers local communities by providing employment opportunities and supporting women-led businesses.