Back to Blog
The textile industry has long been criticized for its environmental toll, from water-intensive production to the use of harmful chemicals. With increasing regulations and rising consumer demand for sustainability, fashion brands are now under pressure to adopt greener practices. Circular Fabric Sourcing presents a promising solution.
Why Circular Strategies Matter
Textile fiber production is expected to reach 145 million tons by 2030, leading to further resource scarcity and environmental damage. Until recently, many brands avoided addressing their impact through greenwashing, but stricter regulations and consumer scrutiny are driving real change.
New rules, such as the European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in countries like the Netherlands, France, and Germany, now require brands to recycle textiles and design products for reuse. Consumers, too, are becoming more aware, pushing companies to improve their environmental and social impact.
Effective Circular Sourcing Strategies
Fashion brands can make a significant environmental impact by focusing on their material sourcing, which accounts for 92% of garment pollution. Key strategies include:
- Use Less Material:Minimize waste through efficient design and reduce overproduction by manufacturing on demand.
- Use Existing Materials:Utilize available fabrics instead of producing new ones, reducing environmental strain.
- Use Recycled Materials:When new materials are needed, opt for recycled ones to avoid the pollution that comes from creating fresh fibers.
- Use Mono Materials:Simplify recycling by choosing single-material fabrics, making it easier to repurpose garments at the end of their lifecycle.
Introducing the Circular Sourcing Score
Clean & Unique, The Fabric Connector, and tex.tracer are introducing the Circular Sourcing Score, a tool to help fashion brands assess and improve their fabric sourcing sustainability. By completing a set of questions, brands receive a score highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. The goal is to guide brands toward more sustainable practices.
The Circular Sourcing Challenge
The Circular Sourcing Challenge kicks off on June 20th, and the winning brand, which shows the most progress, will be announced at the Circular Textiles Days event. The winner will receive a year of free membership with Clean & Unique, offering further support in their sustainability journey.
