Repurposing Plastic Waste into Circular Production: A Model for Sustainable Textile Manufacturing

Abstract

The global textile industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation, particularly through plastic waste generated from packaging, chemical containers, and production processes. Teejay Lanka PLC, Sri Lanka’s first multinational textile manufacturer, has addressed this challenge through an innovative plastic waste management initiative aligned with its Abhivarah 2030 sustainability roadmap. By adopting the 10R circular economy principles, Teejay has implemented a comprehensive strategy to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste, with a special focus on converting hazardous chemical barrels into usable infrastructure components. A key breakthrough was the introduction of high-performance plastic tubes from recycled chemical barrels to serve as the central core for fabric rolls. These recycled tubes underwent rigorous testing for mechanical strength and chemical safety, meeting the standards set by the AFIRM Group’s 2025 Packaging Restricted Substances List. Produced tubes demonstrated performance comparable to virgin materials and passed all regulatory checks for heavy metals, phthalates, APEOs, and PAHs. This initiative has led to a substantial reduction in virgin plastic use and improved operational efficiency. Furthermore, Teejay’s success has strengthened its brand reputation, fostered community partnerships, and established a scalable model for circular innovation within the textile sector.