Detectable textile characteristics by collecting and manual or semi-automatic sorting processes

The dataset documents the observable characteristics of textiles identified during the collection and sorting phases of end-of-life products. It is structured as a single table that consolidates all information gathered through the mixed-methods methodology employed in the study.

The table follows a hierarchical organisation composed of three classification levels.

The first level, referred to as “Chapter”, represents a broad thematic category that groups textile characteristics according to overarching domains, such as reusability, colour, composition, or disruptors. These macro-categories encompass a variety of attributes, including aesthetic, mechanical, and functional properties. Within the dataset, Chapters are visually distinguished by a black background with white bold italic text.

The second level, identified as “subChapter”, provides a more detailed categorisation within each Chapter. SubChapters cluster characteristics that share a common thematic focus under the broader category. For instance, within the Chapter “Composition”, examples of subChapters include “Protein fibers” and “Cellulose fibers”. These entries are displayed with a dark grey background and bold black text, or alternatively bold white text when they serve to organise additional subChapters rather than Parameters.

The third level consists of “Parameters”, which represent the specific observable properties of textile waste associated with a particular Chapter or subChapter. For example, under the Chapter “Color”, parameters may include individual colour classifications such as “blue”, “red”, or “yellow”. Parameters are visually marked using a light grey background with black italic text.

To ensure clarity and consistency throughout the dataset, each element of the hierarchy, Chapters, subChapters, and Parameters, is accompanied by a textual description explaining its meaning and scope.

Furthermore, the final database underwent a cleaning and harmonisation process to standardise terminology and spelling according to widely accepted conventions.

In addition to the hierarchical structure, the table incorporates metadata columns. A column positioned on the left identifies the stage at which each characteristic can be detected. The available categories include “manual Sorting”, “semi-automated Sorting”, and the “Collecting” phase, represented respectively by the acronyms “mS”, “saS”, and “C”. Lastly, a column on the right side reports the information source associated with each recorded characteristic.