The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries, even if in recent times there is a need to reduce its impact by converting it into a circular and responsible economy.
Unfortunately, the idea of achieving circularity through a complete understanding of the production process and business models that take into account not only the recovery of waste and the elimination of toxic substances from clothes, but above all the use of fewer raw materials, is still far from being achieved. It is only by adopting solutions that extend the life cycle of materials and clothes that the production of textile waste can be minimised. But to do this, we need to change the whole way we think about clothing itself.
The real environmental problem is the over-consumption of textiles, which are still disposed of together with household waste, ending up in landfills or incinerators. In addition, due to the lack of technology to recycle one hundred per cent of synthetic and natural fibres, recycling in the fashion world only partially covers textile waste.
It should be the big brands that are primarily responsible for this situation that should put an end to this huge problem. For this reason, Greenpeace is advocating slower fashion that extends the life cycle of products by improving their design, offering consumers in-store repair and collection services for used clothing, and limiting the promotion of irresponsible consumption. Manufacturers should also use more natural cultivated fibres, such as eucalyptus fibre (Tencel), beech fibre, organic cotton and regenerated wool. In order to reduce the use of synthetic materials derived from oil, which not only pose a great threat to the climate and the oceans, but also make products less durable due to their poor quality.
The true circular economy, therefore, is one that starts and ends with textile products, around which it is necessary to build a business model that promotes durability first and then recycling, educating the consumer to prefer quality to quantity.
This article was taken from: https://www.lifegate.it/persone/stile-di-vita/greenpeace-report-riciclo-moda