Method for separating components of mixed textile feedstock for recycling

A method for separating components of a mixed textile feedstock, wherein the mixed textile feedstock comprises a disperse colorant, elastomeric polymers, a polyester material, and a cellulosic material, the method comprising:

• extracting at least some of the disperse colorant from the mixed textile feedstock using a first extraction process resulting in a first intermediate textile feedstock that excludes the at least some of the disperse colorant and retains the elastomeric polymers, the polyester material and the cellulosic material, wherein the first extraction process comprises contacting the mixed textile feedstock to a solution comprising a solvent in association with heating the solution to a first temperature, and wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of a ketone and an ether;
• extracting at least some of the elastomeric polymers from the first intermediate textile using a second extraction process, resulting in a second intermediate textile feedstock that excludes the at least some of the elastomeric polymers and retains the polyester material and the cellulosic material, wherein the second extraction process comprises contacting the first intermediate textile feedstock to the solution in association with heating the solution to a second temperature higher than the first temperature;
• and
• extracting at least some of the polyester material from the second intermediate textile feedstock using a third extraction process, resulting in a purified cellulosic material that excludes the at least some of the polyester material, the at least some of the disperse colorant and the at least some of the elastomeric polymers, wherein the third extraction process comprises contacting the second intermediate textile feedstock to the solution in association with heating the solution to a third temperature higher than the second temperature.