Samsara Eco has partnered with Deakin University’s REACH (Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub) to develop new ways to recycle clothing waste, especially synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, which “make up nearly 60% of clothing in Australia.”

Currently, “less than 1% of used clothes are recycled into new garments, as most are either sent to landfill or burned, contributing to pollution and waste.” To address this, Samsara Eco is using artificial intelligence (AI) to design special enzymes that can break down synthetic fibres into their original building blocks, called monomers.

These monomers can then be reused to make new, high-quality materials, similar to the original ones. This process helps create a closed-loop recycling system—one where old clothes can become new again—reducing waste and the need for virgin materials. The partnership marks a key step toward a greener, more circular fashion industry.

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