Fast fashion is a major environmental offender, requiring massive water consumption, and producing high carbon emissions and pollution. It also leads to a surge in microplastic and textile waste.

One result has been a boom in thrifting. But recycling old clothing into new items presents a much bigger challenge.

The fashion industry accounts for anywhere from 4% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to various sources , yet less than 1% of clothing is recycled into new garments. That's because most fabrics today are blends and need to be broken down into their original fibers in order to be remade.

One Virginia-based startup is taking a shot at fixing the problem, with the aim of turning fashion into a circular economy.

Circ, founded in 2011, developed technology that s

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