Circular economy in the textile and apparel sector: an overview of global trends, challenges and opportunities

In Chapter 20, Suarez-Visbal, Stuckrath and Rosales Carreón highlight that the fashion, clothing and textile value chain symbolises linear business that is spread throughout different geographical locations, often characterised by the take-make-waste model. The concept of Circular Economy has gained currency around the world as it addresses concerns over rising global pressure on resources while reconciling economic growth and environmental sustainability objectives. In recent years, the Circular Economy has been used as a strategy to achieve sustainable development in the sector in different geographies. This chapter presents the most prominent strategies used in the sector to operationalise the Circular Economy while showing some concrete examples of initiatives. The chapter then provides an overview of trends, policies, challenges, and opportunities from a global perspective. It focuses not only on countries but also on more regional and international networks and initiatives that are increasingly adopting circularity as their primary strategy for the sector. The chapter finishes highlighting relevant action points to improve the transition to Circular Economy in the sector to achieve a sustainable fashion industry.