With good cause, the textile sector has come under fire for its significant environmental impact. From water-intensive operations to heavy chemical use, industrial methods are damaging our earth. Fashion companies now directly face this with new rules and increased customer demand for sustainability. Circular Fabric Sourcing is one of the ideas under consideration to propel more eco-friendly behavior.
Circular tactics
For fashion companies, using circular strategies is growingly crucial. By 2030, new textile fiber production will top 145 million tons. This makes raw resources rarer and aggravates issues such as carbon emissions and degradation of clean water
Most fashion companies used to be able to greenwash their way out of obligation to improve. Thanks to more ethical customers and fresh rules, this is luckily not the case anymore.
Big businesses are obliged by European CSDDD rules to consider possible environmental effects and human rights. Extended producer responsibility for textiles mandates that textile manufacturers set up recycling facilities for their goods in The Netherlands, France, and Germany. Furthermore, encouraged to design for reuse and recycling—that is, by employing more circular materials—are these firms.
Apart from laws set by governments, consumers are starting to pay more attention to the goods they acquire. Many companies and activist groups are teaching individuals to spread awareness of the effects of fashion products, so increasing the visibility of these issues. For the environment and brand reputation, a high footprint is negative overall. Fashion companies are unable to ignore the situation any longer.
Material procurement is the primary factor in enhancing the environmental impact of fashion products.
Making the materials explains 92% of the pollution from our clothes. This comprises mining or cultivating the raw resources, producing the fibers and weaving or knitting the textiles. Within this step of the value chain, fashion brands may have the largest influence
But how can you transition from your present design and manufacturing process to employing more circular materials?
Here are a few tactics that fashion firms may put in place to promote circularity and decrease their footprint
Use less: Although this seems clear-cut, the first thing you should always be working on is how you might cut back on materials. Could your designs help to reduce cutting waste? Alternatively lower overproduction by manufacturing more in line with demand
Make use of current resources:
the fabric that is already in use is the most sustainable one. Try designing using the current accessible materials. The number of premium fabrics available will astound you; there is no need to create new materials for every project.
Source recycled resources if extra goods would not suit your new manufacturing. These materials let one avoid the need for creating new fibers. Much pollution is avoided this way. Please exercise caution when selecting recycled materials, as not all are equally sustainable
Employ mono materials:
Try to utilize mono materials wherever you can. This will simplify the recycling procedure for the garments at the end of their lifespan
Clean & Unique, The Fabric Connector, and Tex.tracer are releasing the Circular Sourced Score to inspire fashion companies to employ more circular materials. This new partnership enables fashion brands to evaluate and enhance the sustainability of their fabric procurement. According to Bas Slootman of The Fabric Connector, Circular Fabric Sourcing is one of the most critical solutions for promoting environmentally responsible practices
Circular Sourcing Score
The Circular Sourcing Score is a simple and accessible tool to examine the current sourcing procedures of fashion firms. By answering a series of questions, participating businesses obtain a score that demonstrates their strengths and areas for growth in circular fabric sourcing. Tex.tracer will map the supply chain of 100 goods for the winning brand The purpose is to assist fashion businesses increase their score. The Fabric Connector will
provide participants free direction to get to this upgrade. The brand that exhibits the highest development wins free membership with Clean & Unique year.
Said Roosmarie Ruigrok of Clean & Unique, this presents a special chance for fashion companies to learn more about their sourcing practices and the actions they can take toward a more sustainable future. They were delighted to help brands realize their sustainable ambitions by partnering with The Fabric Connector and tex.tracer.
Starting on June 20th is the Circular Sourcing Challenge. The winner will be revealed at the Circular Textiles Days, a major event dedicated to circular and sustainable innovations in the textile sector.
