Textile waste in Australia decomposes slowly and releases toxic chemicals. Natural fibres like cotton could be composted, but dyes and treatments hinder breakdown. This PhD develops a new compost-testing method, measures dye impacts, and identifies toxic residues. The work will inform Australia’s first composting standard and help industry choose safer, circular textile dyes.

This research investigates how dyed cotton breaks down in compost and whether it leaves harmful chemical residues. Using non-target analysis, AI tools, and chemical databases, the project identifies toxic dye by-products and develops faster ways to detect them. The findings will help create new Australian standards for safe, compostable textiles.