The word “shoddy” first came to use in 1832, referring to an early form of recycling in which old wool was shredded and spun with new wool to form a fabric. Nearly two centuries later, textile recycling still follows a similar process. But today’s textiles are blends of different materials, from synthetics to natural materials. Additionally, garments are dyed or include hardware such as buttons or rivet closures. When clothing is sent to a textile recycler, the consumer might assume their item will be repurposed, however without knowing what a shirt or pair of socks is made of, the textile recycler is at a loss.