How it works

Home How it works Features N. U. Network About ACP GET STARTED

THE NEXT USE NETWORK

How it
works

THE NEXT USE NETWORK turns circularity into action —
enabling smart, transparent, and measurable textile reuse
and recycling.

LETS GET STARTED

Welcome to The Next Use Network — your guided pathway to understanding and determining the most sustainable next use for spent textiles.

Built on the Spent Textile Hierarchy, the tool helps you make informed, action-ready decisions that prioritize reuse, repair, and recycling, over disposal.

As a stakeholder, the choices you make directly shape how textiles move through the system—from design and collection to repurposing and distribution of unwanted materials.

Your Guided Path to the Next Best Use for Spent Textiles

Simple 5 Steps

Define Your
Materials

Share what you know about your textiles—their composition, condition, location, volume, and more.

Share Your
Intent

Tell us what you're aiming for: reuse, recycling, innovation? Your intent will guide recommendations.

Get
matched

Receive top vendor matches based on inputs.

Reach Out to
Partners

Send proposals, manage responses, and attach documents.

Report
the Outcome

Log final use, measure impact, and rate partners.

Define your
Material

“Capture essential data to unlock the most compatible and impactful circular options for your textiles.”

Share what you know about your textiles—their composition, condition, location, volume, and more. Upload supporting files like certifications or photos.

You'll provide:

Name or reference
Fiber content
Material structure (knit or woven)
Material form (garments, rolls, scraps, shredded, etc.)
Presence of disruptors and fabric finishes
Weight or volume

Condition (new, used, damaged, debranded)
Location
Transportation capabilities
Budget for processing or disposition
Desired timing

You can also upload:

Product photos

Share Your
Intent

“Clarify your goals to guide the tool toward reuse, recycling, or innovation outcomes aligned with your mission.”

Tell us what you’re aiming for: reuse, recycling, innovation? Your intent helps guide the tool's recommendations.

You'll also indicate:

Desired outcome (e.g., reuse, repair, recycling)
Whether sorting or grading is required
Timeline (immediate, short-term, or flexible)
Any existing vendor partnerships
Special requirements (e.g., certifications, geography, packaging)

Intent Options Include:

Reuse / Resale
Repair or Refurbishment
Mechanical Recycling
Chemical Recycling
Sort & Grade for Future Allocation
Innovation Testing / R&D
Material Minimization / Responsible Disposition

Get
matched

“Receive smart, tailored vendor matches that reduce decision-making time and ensure feasibility.”

Receive tailored vendor matches based on material details and hierarchy alignment. Each recommendation includes a vendor profile, service fit, and confidence rating.

Vendor Profile - Name, location, services, certifications, and contact info
Match Summary - Why this vendor fits your textile
Preprocessing Requirements - Any necessary steps like sorting, shredding, or de-trimming

Minimum Volume Thresholds - If applicable
Vendor History - Prior textile matches, service updates, and engagement notes

Reach Out
to Partners

“Streamline engagement with trusted partners — all communication tracked, organized, and ready for action.”

Everything you need for effective outreach is included.

You can:

summary of available materials, detailed vendor profiles, and up-to-date contact information, making it easy to identify and connect with the right partners for your circular textile initiatives.

You can also:

Download the Next Use Report
Send an introductory email to recommended vendors
Include the Next Use Report in your message

Report the
Outcome

“Document the final impact, build traceability, and contribute to an evolving ecosystem of industry-wide learning.””

Close the loop. Log final results, track metrics, rate partners, and contribute to shared learning.

You'll:

Select the final outcome (resale, reuse, recycling, donation, landfill, etc.)
Log impact metrics like weight diverted or emissions avoided

Share reflections or suggestions to improve the process

Getting
Started
Checklist

Gather your material details and any supporting documentation
Define your goals—what outcomes do you want to achieve?
Create an account/Log into the N.U.Network and start with Step 1
Follow each stage to find the best next use for your textiles
Report your results to complete the loop
Return to the tool for future textiles, tracking, and insights

When you complete all five steps, you contribute to a growing ecosystem of action, accountability, and insight. Every textile you declare, every vendor you contact , and every outcome you report helps make textile circularity real, measurable, and scalable.

THE NEXT USE NETWORK

Your
journey to
circularity
starts here

FROM
MATERIALS
TO MOMENTUM