The CSIR was commissioned by the EPZDA to undertake a preliminary investigation into the feasibility of recycling textile waste in Mauritius. The main objective of the study was to provide sufficient information to support a decision on whether to proceed with a detailed feasibility study or not. This phased approach was agreed upon to reduce the risk of incurring unnecessary expenditure. The study comprised three parts :
1) A survey of the well established South African textile waste market to capture lessons and to provide benchmarks.
2) A high level scan of the technologies typically employed in the recycling of textile waste.
3) A survey, conducted with the assistance of the University of Mauritius, of the quantity and types of textile waste generated in Mauritius.
This report commences with a brief overview of the sources and end uses of textile waste before describing the findings of each of the above surveys. The report concludes with recommendations on how to proceed further.