Avery Dennison and TEXAID Demonstrate RFID’s Potential to Transform Textile Recycling

A collaborative pilot project between Avery Dennison and TEXAID has demonstrated that RFID technology could significantly improve the speed, accuracy, and scalability of textile sorting operations, offering a potential solution to growing regulatory and sustainability challenges facing the fashion industry.

The trial explored how digital identification technologies can enhance the processing of used garments by enabling automated sorting and more precise material identification. Results showed that RFID-enabled systems were capable of achieving identification accuracy of up to 99.9% while increasing sorting speeds by as much as three times compared with conventional manual methods. 

TEXAID, a leading textile collection and recycling company that processes approximately 80,000 tons of textiles annually, partnered with Avery Dennison to evaluate whether RFID-based tracking could help meet the increasing demands created by new European regulations on textile waste management and product traceability. 

The pilot combined RFID technology with digital product information stored through Avery Dennison’s connected product platform. By assigning garments a unique digital identity containing details such as fiber composition, recyclers can automatically direct products into appropriate resale, reuse, or recycling streams. This approach addresses one of the industry’s major challenges: accurately identifying textiles when labels are missing, damaged, or difficult to read. 

According to the companies, RFID-enabled sorting offers substantial operational benefits. Previous pilot projects demonstrated near-perfect garment identification, significantly reduced manual processing requirements, and improved handling of complex materials such as dark-colored fabrics and blended fibers that often challenge conventional sorting technologies.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to create a more circular textile economy. Europe generates millions of tons of textile waste annually, yet only a small proportion is recycled into new materials. As policymakers introduce stricter sustainability requirements and digital product passport regulations, technologies that improve traceability and material recovery are becoming increasingly important. 

Both companies believe digital identification systems will play a critical role in scaling textile recycling infrastructure, improving feedstock quality, and supporting the industry’s transition toward more sustainable and circular business models.