Despite a surge in circular initiatives, pilot programmes, and capsule collections, the textile industry remains only 0.3% circular, according to our Circularity Gap Report Textiles. Consuming a whopping 3.25 billion tonnes of materials annually—over 99% from virgin sources—the textile industry lags far behind the global circularity rate of 7.2%. Recycling efforts are insufficient, and there’s a critical gap in extending product lifespans and scaling repair services. With 30% of clothing going unsold, overproduction is driving waste.
It is time to invest in a resilient, circular textile industry that creates decent jobs and products that last. By narrowing, slowing, regenerating and cycling material flows, we can build capacity, grow employment, and empower consumers to become active ‘prosumers’.
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With extensive expertise in mapping the volumes and composition of post-consumer and post-industrial textiles, we assess their suitability for open and closed-loop recycling.
Using a value chain-driven approach for the challenges of overproduction and disposability, we identify real opportunities to close the loop across global consumption and production hubs.
We work closely with the Circular Jobs and Circular Finance Initiatives to assess the socioeconomic impacts and investment needs of the identified solutions. Additionally, we leverage a network of external experts in textile collection, sorting, recycling, financial modelling, and traceability.
We develop innovative, pre-competitive initiatives that drive circularity across businesses, cities, and nations.
Our tailored support helps supranational, nonprofit, and for-profit organisations launch impactful and measurable initiatives aligned with Circle Economy's mission of doubling global circularity and creating an economic system where all can thrive.
From mapping value recovery opportunities to assessing the feasibility of specific recycling solutions, we customise our guidance to meet your specific needs.
The fashion industry’s creativity must be channelled into the right priorities: designing out waste, enhancing durability, and ensuring cyclability.
Sustainable design should be the norm, not a premium exception. Achieving this requires brands and manufacturers to collaborate on circular product development.
Our educational workshops equip your design, and product development teams, as well as manufacturers, with in-depth knowledge of the key concepts, industry players, and strategies in the circular textiles space.
