It does not matter whether you have just begun embracing sustainable fashion or are quite an old player in the industry you would have likely heard such phrases in the industry. But what do they actually mean? What is the definition of circular fashion and why is it so important in the future?
The Current Frame of Fashion Industry
At present, the fashion industry is operating in a one way fashion where there is a mass production and consumption of clothes and shoes which are mostly made from synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels which are non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. The consumption patterns of the consumers in this linear system characterised by persistent overproduction is endorsed by robust marketing, widespread advertisements and the power of influence especially influencers
This creates an environment of impulse buying where the target is centred on low prices and the more the consumers feel their needs being met, the higher the chances of them conforming socially. The linear model significantly affects people reasoning behind textile waste such as throwing away clothes and shoes, after the least amount of time has elapsed from purchase or when some fashion shows the next trend.
This consequently, leads such items to be disposed of in landfills, combusted or shipped to the international market in third world countries leading to deleterious effects on ecological and social matters respectively.
Facing a limited resource problem and growing environmental and social concerns of consumers’ – there’s a demand for operational challenges.
What is a Circular Economy?
Also known as the Circular Economy Model, the CEM is an indigenous oriented model of economy which facilitates waste reduction and maximisation of resource usage. It is a departure from the traditional linear economy which operates on a ‘take-make-dispose’ paradigm where resources undergo extraction, transformation into products and ultimately end up as waste. CEM advocates for extending the useful life of resources in such an efficient manner that at the end of their useful life, the products and materials will be collected and regenerated.
The key principles of circular fashion are:
- Reduce Waste and Pollution: This includes creating products that reduce waste and pollution at every stage of their life cycle. This consists of employing sustainable materials, cutting back on water and energy usage, and limiting the use of toxic chemicals.
- Reuse your clothes: Promote the circulation of products and materials by maximising their usage duration. Achieving this is possible by implementing methods such as fixing, repurposing, and recycling. By increasing the durability of products and reducing waste, we can lower the need for new resources.
- Regenerating Nature: This principle highlights the significance of revitalising and safeguarding natural systems. This can be accomplished by implementing techniques such as sustainable farming, planting trees, and preserving soil. Through the restoration of the environment, we can guarantee a sustainable planet for the next generations.
Circular fashion addresses fashion industry principles that in their essence requires eliminating waste and conquering the world of fashion through the creation of closed-loop by reducing waste and prolonging the lifespan of clothing and textiles.
It is in harmony with the principles of the Circular Economy as it reimagines the process of designing, manufacturing, utilising, and discarding garments.
Key Aspects Of Circular Fashion
- Design for Longevity and Durability: Garments are created with longevity and durability in mind, prioritising durability, timelessness, and high quality to extend their lifespan and minimise the need for frequent replacements.
- Materials and Production Methods: Focus is on using sustainable and environmentally friendly materials right from fabrics to sewing machine thread, integrating recycled or upcycled fabrics, and using production methods that reduce waste and environmental harm.
- Extended Use and Reuse: Circular fashion promotes the extended use and reuse of garments through clothing rental, resale markets (like thrift stores or online platforms), and clothing exchanges to prolong the lifespan of clothing items beyond just one owner.
- Repair, Remake, and Recycling: Promoting repair services, encouraging garment mending or alteration with bonded nylon thread by consumers, and facilitating recycling or upcycling of old clothes into new products are essential aspects of circular fashion.
- Closing the Loop: Creating systems that enable garments to be completely recycled or biodegrade when they reach the end of their life cycle, reducing landfill waste and facilitating the reuse of materials in new clothing or other goods.
Adopting this method entails continuous use and repurposing, minimising waste, pollution, and dependence on fresh resources. This change provides a revolutionary answer to the issues facing the fashion industry such as climate change, pollution, and waste, by promoting sustainable growth and creating room for new business ideas, as well as encouraging a more eco-friendly consumer mindset.
The Journey of Circular Fashion
A comprehensive strategy including several stakeholders, including manufacturers, designers, customers, and legislators, is required to achieve a circular system in the fashion industry. The goal of establishing a circular business model for the entire industry is ambitious, and it includes everything from revolutionary advancements in textile recycling to digital product passports and revolutionary bio-based materials. Large-scale innovation and substantial financial resources are required to separate the sector from the existing growth-based paradigm.
Design for Circularity
Although there isn’t a consensus definition for the baseline criterion or an industry standard for what makes a circular product, we do know that in order to facilitate a circular economy, items must be:
- Long-Term and Durable Use: Creating products with longer lifespans not only lowers the need for replacements but also lowers waste production and resource consumption overall. To ensure durability, this calls for the use of high-quality materials and robust building methods.
- Made to be Remade: Crafting products to prioritise recyclability involves designing them using materials that are simple to disassemble and convert into new materials when their life cycle ends. It entails selecting materials with minimal environmental impact that can be efficiently recycled or reused.
- User-Centric Design: When crafting products, prioritising the end-user’s perspective is the key. This approach involves tailoring items to evoke emotional connections with consumers, thus guaranteeing timeless aesthetic allure. Furthermore, by offering user-friendly repair options and ensuring spare parts are easily accessible, consumers are motivated to prolong the longevity of their products.
- Repairable: Constructing products with easily repairable components, along with providing accessible repair services or guidance, empowers consumers to maintain and repair items. This practice helps prolong their usefulness and reduces the likelihood of premature disposal. Brands play a crucial role in educating consumers about the importance of durability, repairability, and responsible consumption.
Offering guidance on product care, providing repair tutorials or workshops, and ensuring convenient access to spare parts are ways to promote a more sustainable consumption habit.
Scale Textile Recycling Operations
Today, recycling textiles into new textiles at scale poses a significant challenge. When garments are recycled, they are primarily downcycled (repurposed into items of lower value than the original) such as insulation, mattress stuffing, and industrial wipes. Surprise, surprise, these products ultimately end up in the landfill.
In addition to products needing to be designed for recycling, there is a requirement for significant long-term investment and collaboration to scale the collection, sorting, and recycling operations.
Scale Circular Business Models
Circular business models that enable companies to generate income without producing new clothes offer substantial prospects for the fashion industry to separate revenue from raw material manufacture. The business models consist of rental, repairs, resale, and remaking. These practices contribute to revenue generation and cost efficiencies, while also improving product margins and competitiveness. In the pursuit of a circular fashion economy, the industry finds itself at a crucial juncture.
Embracing the principles of circularity means designing for durability, encouraging reuse and recycling, scaling textile recycling operations, and adopting innovative business models. This approach offers a transformative path forward. It’s a path that necessitates teamwork, creativity, and a fundamental change in how we view, produce, and consume fashion.
The fashion industry can lessen its environmental impact and guide us towards a time when trends are in line with the prudent conservation of our planet’s resources by reevaluating the lifespan of clothing, putting an emphasis on sustainability, and encouraging mindful consumption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the three circular fashion tenets—regenerating nature, circulating goods and resources, and removing waste and pollution—offer a strong foundation for transforming the fashion industry into a more ethical and sustainable one. Brands may reduce their environmental impact, conserve resources, and create a more equitable future by adopting these principles.
Customers are growing increasingly aware of how rapid fashion affects society and the environment. Circular fashion is becoming more and more popular. The fashion industry can go from a take-make-dispose approach to a regenerative system that benefits people and the environment by adopting circularity.
