Chemists have developed a new method to recycle blended fabrics, which are notoriously difficult to repurpose. According to Science Advances, this innovative process uses microwaves and chemicals to separate cotton, polyester, nylon, and spandex blends into reusable components in just 15 minutes. This advancement could significantly reduce the 92 million tons of textiles discarded annually, of which less than 0.5% are currently recycled. The new technique holds promise for reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry by enabling effective recycling of mixed-fiber fabrics.