Leading fashion industry brands, including Adidas, Bestseller, C&A, H&M Group, Inditex and VF Corp., have called for a transition to a circular economy for textiles in the European Union.
The brands, which collectively represent over 70% of the European apparel market, released a set of principles that outline how the fashion industry can move towards a more sustainable future.
The principles focus on four key areas:
- Design: The principles call for the use of more sustainable materials and the design of products that are more durable and easy to repair or recycle.
- Manufacture: The principles call for the use of more sustainable manufacturing practices, such as water-saving and energy-efficient processes.
- Use: The principles call for the promotion of longer product lifetimes, such as through rental, resale and repair programs.
- End-of-life: The principles call for the development of more sustainable end-of-life solutions, such as recycling and upcycling.
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, responsible for more than 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and with a low recycling rate globally. The transition to a circular economy for textiles is essential to reducing the industry’s environmental impact.
The principles developed by the fashion industry leaders are a significant step forward in the transition to a circular economy for textiles. The principles provide a clear roadmap for the industry to follow as it moves towards a more sustainable future.
“The fashion industry has a responsibility to address its environmental impact,” said Bente Bauer, director of public affairs at Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel & Footwear. “These principles provide a blueprint for how we can create a more sustainable future for fashion.”
The principles have been welcomed by environmental groups, who have long called for the fashion industry to take action to reduce its environmental impact.
“This is a major step forward for the fashion industry,” said Emily Farnsworth, director of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. “These principles provide a clear roadmap for how the industry can move towards a more sustainable future.”
The principles are the latest in a series of initiatives by the fashion industry to address its environmental impact. In 2018, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition launched the Higg Index, a set of tools that measure the environmental impact of apparel products. In 2020, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation launched the Make Fashion Circular Initiative, which aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy for textiles.
The fashion industry is facing increasing pressure from consumers, investors and regulators to reduce its environmental impact. The principles developed by the fashion industry leaders are a positive step forward in the transition to a more sustainable future for the industry.