A Practice-Based View of Material Recirculation: A case study of discarded textiles centred in the 2nd hand shop Blå Kors Genbrug
Translated title
A Practice-Based View of Material Recirculation
Author
Perez Arribas, Zahara
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2017
Submitted on
2017-06-02
Pages
52
Abstract
This thesis examines how to reduce leakages in the material recirculation of textiles in second-hand markets—specifically when collected items move into opaque wholesale channels or end up as waste. Using Aalborg Blå Kors Genbrug as the primary case, the study focuses on textiles that cannot be sold in the shop and are currently exported or discarded. The core research question is how second-hand actors can regain greater control over the fate of discarded textiles to secure higher levels of reuse and recycling. Methodologically, the study applies a practice-based perspective grounded in theories of practice and Activity Theory, combined with action research through participant sorting in the shop and interviews with relevant actors. The contribution is original in bringing a practice-based lens to textile reuse. Findings indicate that, despite legislative barriers, organizations can improve handling through stronger collaboration across the activity systems involved in textile recirculation. Better coordination can increase traceability, route items by quality to the most appropriate reuse or recycling options, and reduce losses to waste. If adopted by second-hand markets, such collaborative strategies can enhance environmental performance, competitiveness, and public image.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan lækager i materialerecirkulationen af tekstiler i genbrugsmarkedet kan mindskes—særligt når indsamlede tekstiler ender i uigennemsigtige kanaler via grossister eller som affald. Med Aalborg Blå Kors Genbrug som hovedcase fokuserer studiet på tekstiler, der ikke kan sælges i butikken og i dag typisk eksporteres eller kasseres. Den centrale problemstilling er, hvordan aktører i secondhand-sektoren kan opnå større kontrol med den videre skæbne for kasserede tekstiler for at sikre højere grad af genbrug og genanvendelse. Metodisk anlægges en praksisbaseret tilgang med afsæt i teorier om praksis og aktivitetsteori, kombineret med aktionsforskning gennem deltagelse i sortering i butikken samt interviewbaseret vidensindsamling blandt relevante aktører. Bidraget er originalt ved at anvende en praksisbaseret optik på tekstilgenbrug. Fundene peger på, at organisationer—uanset lovgivningsmæssige barrierer—kan forbedre håndteringen gennem tættere samarbejde på tværs af de systemer, der indgår i tekstilrecirkulationen. Øget koordinering kan øge sporbarheden, matche kasserede varer efter kvalitet til de bedst egnede genbrugs- eller genanvendelsesveje og dermed reducere tab til affald. Implementeres sådanne samarbejdsstrategier i genbrugsbranchen, kan de både styrke miljøpræstation, konkurrenceevne og omdømme.
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