AI Machine Sorts Textiles to Cut Waste in China

In Zhangjiagang, a small city on China's east coast, an artificial intelligence-powered machine is sorting piles of used clothing by material composition at unprecedented speeds, marking a step forward in efforts to curb synthetic textile waste.

The FastsortTextile, developed by DataBeyond, a Chinese AI recycling company founded in 2018, was installed this year at Shanhesheng Environmental Technology Ltd., a textile recycling facility in a local industrial park. Recognized as one of Time magazine's Best Inventions of 2025, the machine uses an AI scanner to analyze textiles and separate them into recyclable fibers like nylon and polyester, diverting more material from incineration or landfills. "We can make full use of textile waste and reduce the amount that is incinerated, which will be a great help to recycling resources," said DataBeyond CEO Mo Zhuoya.

Synthetic textiles, derived from fossil fuels, dominate global production at about 70 percent, according to a report from the Amsterdam-based nonprofit Circle Economy. These low-cost materials fuel the fashion industry but contribute heavily to pollution when discarded. China, the world's top textile exporter with $142 billion...