MIT engineers make recyclable stretchy yarn from polyethylene

MIT engineers developed a stretchy yarn from two variations of polyethylene that can be melted and respun without separating fibers. The yarn stays as strong and flexible as conventional thread after 10 melt-and-respin cycles. The team hopes it will cut textile waste, with the average American discarding about 81 pounds of clothing a year.

• Yarn uses two polyethylene types instead of spandex blended with polyester or nylon
• Material survives 10 melt-and-respin cycles without losing strength or flexibility
• Average American throws out about 81 pounds of clothing each year
• Next step is knitting and weaving garments from the new yarn