Color Stripping of Textile Waste
This project tackles the critical environmental challenge of textile waste, focusing on an efficient bleaching method to remove reactive dyes from cellulose fabrics, such as cotton. Currently the textile industry generates significant waste with limited recycling options, partly due to the difficulty in removing dyes without damaging fibers. This research first reviewed existing color-stripping methods, chemicals; identifying both effective solutions and their limitations. Dyed fabrics undergo aging to simulate textile waste before testing with common pulp-bleaching agents, like chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. Conditions such as pH, material to liquor ratio, chemical concentration, temperature, and treatment time are on the way to optimization while examining the mechanical and chemical properties of fibers after color stripping. Wastewater from the process will be analyzed to ensure minimal ecological impact. Effective redyeing ability of the color-stripped fabrics will also be assessed, aiming to open up new pathways for recycling and sustainable fabric reuse.