The inaugural Textiles Recycling Awards have opened for entries ahead of the 2026 edition of the Textiles Recycling Expo 2026, as organizers seek to spotlight innovation and measurable impact in textile recycling and circular economy solutions.
The awards will be presented during the two-day expo, scheduled for June 24–25, 2026 at Brussels Expo, bringing together recyclers, brands, technology providers and policymakers focused on scaling textile waste reduction and fiber-to-fiber recycling systems.
Entries are open until March 13, 2026 and are free of charge, according to the event’s official platform. Winners will be announced during a live ceremony on the second day of the exhibition, offering finalists international visibility among industry stakeholders seeking commercially viable circular textile solutions.
The awards programme features six categories designed to cover the full textile recycling value chain, including Retailer of the Year, Product of the Year, Textile Collection and Sorting Award, Textile Recycling Project of the Year, Innovation in Recycling Technology Award and Rising Star Award. Organizers said the initiative aims to recognize both established companies and emerging players driving advances in textile collection infrastructure, advanced sorting systems and next-generation recycling technologies.
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The launch of the awards comes as pressure mounts on the global fashion and textile sector to address mounting post-consumer waste and comply with tightening sustainability regulations, particularly in the European Union. Industry analysts say dedicated recognition platforms can accelerate adoption of scalable recycling technologies by connecting innovators with brands and investors.
The broader expo is organized by AMI and is positioned as a specialized trade event focused exclusively on textile recycling technologies and circular material systems. Exhibitors are expected to showcase mechanical and chemical recycling equipment, automated sorting solutions, fiber regeneration technologies and digital traceability systems aimed at closing the textile loop.
By pairing an international exhibition with a structured awards platform, organizers are betting that public recognition and peer benchmarking will help speed up investment in textile recycling capacity at a time when brands face increasing scrutiny over environmental impact and extended producer responsibility obligations.
With global textile waste volumes continuing to rise and demand growing for recycled fibers in apparel and home textiles, the Textiles Recycling Awards are set to become a focal point for companies seeking leadership positioning in the fast-evolving circular textiles market.
