Solving Apparel Waste Problem's "Fiber Sorting" with Low-Cost Device: Development of Palm-Sized Device Under 1M Yen Selected for Ministry of the Environment Grant
Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center will develop a low-cost fiber sorting device to solve the apparel waste problem. This research has been selected for a grant by the Ministry of the Environment and is expected to contribute to achieving a circular society.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 20:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 11:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 22:31 (323h 0m after Collected)
In recent years, while the recycling of waste garments has been demanded in the apparel industry, the sorting work for it has been a major challenge as it mainly relies on manual labor based on appearance, touch, and quality labels.
To solve this issue, the Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center will work on developing a garment sorting assistance device using a palm-sized, small near-infrared spectrometer. This research has been selected for the "FY2026 Environment Research and Technology Development Fund," which is managed by the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency (ERCA) and funded by the Ministry of the Environment.
## Research Overview
With the promotion of sustainable fashion, the importance of recycling waste garments is increasing. However, the sorting process relies on appearance, touch, and quality labels, depending on manual labor, which poses a significant challenge to efficiency.
This research aims to develop a sorting device that assists on-site work by quickly and accurately identifying the material composition of collected garments, by combining a palm-sized near-infrared spectrometer with multivariate analysis.
Specifically, by identifying garments with a **wool blend ratio of 80% or more**, which are raw materials for shoddy recycling, it will enable appropriate raw material selection according to the recycling application, aiming to achieve an **identification accuracy of 90% or more**.
A feature of this research is its focus on highly implementable technology development for on-site introduction, unlike existing expensive automated sorting equipment. We aim to develop a device that can be introduced for **under 1 million yen**, with a view to its widespread adoption at domestic collection and sorting sites.
This research is expected to contribute to solving problems in the pre-process of fiber-to-fiber recycling, and to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through the stable supply of circular resources and the reduction of waste garments. Our foundation will continue to engage in research and development that contributes to solving environmental issues by leveraging our knowledge of quality evaluation and testing.
## Adopted Project
- Call Category: Innovative R&D (Young Researcher B)
- Research Area: Resource Circulation
- Research Project: Development of a sorting assistance device for collected garments using a small near-infrared spectrometer
- Principal Investigator's Institution: Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center
- Principal Investigator: Miyuki Funahashi
By supporting the stable supply of circular resources and strengthening the clothing circulation system, this project will contribute to the promotion of sustainable fashion under the "Sixth Basic Environment Plan" advocated by the Ministry of the Environment.
To solve this issue, the Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center will work on developing a garment sorting assistance device using a palm-sized, small near-infrared spectrometer. This research has been selected for the "FY2026 Environment Research and Technology Development Fund," which is managed by the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency (ERCA) and funded by the Ministry of the Environment.
## Research Overview
With the promotion of sustainable fashion, the importance of recycling waste garments is increasing. However, the sorting process relies on appearance, touch, and quality labels, depending on manual labor, which poses a significant challenge to efficiency.
This research aims to develop a sorting device that assists on-site work by quickly and accurately identifying the material composition of collected garments, by combining a palm-sized near-infrared spectrometer with multivariate analysis.
Specifically, by identifying garments with a **wool blend ratio of 80% or more**, which are raw materials for shoddy recycling, it will enable appropriate raw material selection according to the recycling application, aiming to achieve an **identification accuracy of 90% or more**.
A feature of this research is its focus on highly implementable technology development for on-site introduction, unlike existing expensive automated sorting equipment. We aim to develop a device that can be introduced for **under 1 million yen**, with a view to its widespread adoption at domestic collection and sorting sites.
This research is expected to contribute to solving problems in the pre-process of fiber-to-fiber recycling, and to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through the stable supply of circular resources and the reduction of waste garments. Our foundation will continue to engage in research and development that contributes to solving environmental issues by leveraging our knowledge of quality evaluation and testing.
## Adopted Project
- Call Category: Innovative R&D (Young Researcher B)
- Research Area: Resource Circulation
- Research Project: Development of a sorting assistance device for collected garments using a small near-infrared spectrometer
- Principal Investigator's Institution: Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center
- Principal Investigator: Miyuki Funahashi
By supporting the stable supply of circular resources and strengthening the clothing circulation system, this project will contribute to the promotion of sustainable fashion under the "Sixth Basic Environment Plan" advocated by the Ministry of the Environment.