A new report, the Circularity Gap Report (CGR) Textiles, authored by Circle Economy and funded by the H&M Foundation, provides an in-depth view of the current circularity in clothing and textiles. The CGR Textiles urges immediate action to reduce the textile industry’s environmental impact by embracing circular economy principles such as reuse, recycling and slow fashion. 

The CGR Textiles report highlights data, such as that only 0.3% of the 3.25 billion tonnes (3.58 billion U.S. tons) of materials consumed annually by the textile sector come from recycled sources, and fossil fuel-based synthetic fibers make up 70% of its raw materials. But, by prioritizing renewable and recycled fibers, increasing garment durability, localizing supply chains and reducing the volume of production and consumption, the industry could make significant strides toward a more sustainable and circular model. 

“We supported this report to provide the textile industry with actionable insights,” says Christiane Dolva, head of innovation of research and demonstration at the H&M Foundation. “It emphasizes the most impactful circularity efforts. While not a complete solution, circularity can drive meaningful change. We hope these insights will support industry-wide transformation, benefiting both people and the planet.” 

The CGR Textiles report presents four recommendations going forward: 

  1. Transform the industry by cutting production volumes – address overproduction, reshape production cycles and reduce resource use. 
  2. Set environmental priorities beyond carbon reduction – consider broader environmental impacts, especially on water ecosystems. 
  3. Ensure a socially just circular transition – focus on decent work, fair wages and better working conditions. 
  4. Coordinate action across science, technology, policy and finance – collective action across these areas is needed for a circular textile economy. 

“The CGR Textiles is groundbreaking as the first in-depth analysis to measure circularity within the textiles sector, highlighting the urgent need for solutions that transform the entire textile value chain toward a circular model. Only through concrete, scalable actions can the industry contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future,” says Hilde van Duijn, managing director of Circle Economy Foundation. 

Circle Economy is a global impact organization based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

For the full report, visit circularity-gap.world/textiles



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