raggraded

Raggraded is a term used in some textile recycling contexts to describe the practice of sorting reclaimed textile fibers and fabrics by quality grade to guide their reuse or recycling. It encompasses criteria such as fiber type, fiber length, damage level, contamination, dye residue, and end-use suitability. The exact definition and grading schemes vary by facility, and raggraded is not a universally standardized term.

Raggrading typically begins with collection and pre-sorting of textile waste, followed by mechanical and manual separation to remove non-textile components. The remaining material is inspected or tested to assign a grade, and then routed into graded streams, such as lower-grade fibers for insulation or wipers and higher-grade fibers for spun yarns or woven fabrics. Grading can involve visual inspection, simple tests, or instrumental analysis, depending on available resources.

Applications include use by textile recyclers, upcycling studios, and circular-economy initiatives to maximize resource recovery and extend the life of garments. The approach aims to increase resource efficiency in the textile supply chain, enabling higher recovery rates and better compatibility with downstream recycling processes or upcycling projects.

Etymology and usage: The term combines rag (waste textiles) with graded (categorized). It has appeared in industry discussions and some academic work since the early 21st century, but it remains informal and not part of a single governing standard.

Related topics include textile recycling, circular economy, textile waste management, and materials grading.