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Global Fashion Agenda Launches Circular Fashion Partnership in Türkiye

Today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable fashion. The Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has officially announced the establishment of the Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye, an initiative dedicated to addressing the critical issue of textile waste through innovative recycling practices and circular system development. This announcement was made during the Sustainability Talks in Istanbul, showcasing the commitment to environmental responsibility within the fashion industry.

The newly established partnership will focus on creating a robust circular textile system in Türkiye, aiming to capture and recycle post-industrial textile waste effectively. This initiative brings together a coalition of stakeholders, including GFA, national partners like Rematters, and implementation partners such as Reverse Resources, Closed Loop Fashion, and Circle Economy Foundation, all backed by funding from HM Foundation. With its official commencement set for early 2026, the partnership is poised to bring impactful changes to the country's fashion landscape.

Objectives of the Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye

The primary goals of the Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye include:

1. Establishing Textile Waste Management Systems: The initiative will implement waste management frameworks within factories, optimizing the process of recycling and reusing materials effectively.
2. Enhancing Traceability: By integrating digital tools, the partnership aims to provide better tracking of textile resources, ensuring transparency and accountability in waste management practices.
3. Connecting Manufacturers and Recyclers: The program will facilitate partnerships between manufacturers and recyclers, ensuring a higher recovery rate and value from post-industrial textile waste.
4. Compliance Support: The initiative will offer guidance to suppliers in adapting to evolving policies regarding environmental standards and waste reduction.
5. Fostering National Collaboration: A key focus will be on bringing together diverse stakeholders within the textile sector to promote systemic change across the board.

Türkiye's Ideal Position for Circular Recycling

Recognized as one of the world's leading hubs for apparel manufacturing, Türkiye is strategically positioned to enhance textile-to-textile recycling efforts. Its vertically integrated industry structure, geographical proximity to the European Union, and increasing regulatory pressures create a fertile landscape for developing effective recycling initiatives. The Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye is set to leverage these advantages, developing scalable models that enhance waste segregation, promote fibre-to-fibre recycling, and establish domestic recovery pathways that aim to reduce dependency on virgin raw materials and the detrimental impacts of landfill waste.

This initiative joins a broader effort known as the Global Circular Fashion Forum (GCFF), which GFA spearheads to enhance post-industrial textile recycling via localized partnerships in key manufacturing regions around the world. Following previous implementations in countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Indonesia, the Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye represents the fourth national program employing this successful model. The combined efforts have already seen a remarkable trace of over 21,000 tonnes of textile waste and established connections between over 100 factories and 20 global brands within recycling networks.

Engagement Activities Planned

Throughout 2026, the Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye will engage various stakeholders across the textile value chain with numerous targeted activities, such as:

• - Conducting on-site waste management assessments to identify areas for improvement.
• - Offering training and capacity-building sessions through a Train-the-Trainer model.
• - Hosting recycling pitch sessions and matchmaking events to foster collaborative opportunities.
• - Organizing roundtable discussions and policy dialogues with significant national actors to enhance shared understanding and innovate practices.

By doing so, the partnership aims to bolster Türkiye’s textile ecosystem, unlocking economic value from waste and contributing to a holistic, equitable transition towards circular practices in one of the most influential sourcing regions worldwide.

Statement from GFA Leadership

Federica Marchionni, CEO of Global Fashion Agenda, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, "Türkiye represents a critical opportunity to accelerate circularity at scale. Through the Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye, we aim to foster local collaboration and unlock innovation that can serve as a model for textile-to-textile recycling globally. These partnerships can lay the groundwork for scalable systems that not only address textile waste but are also aligned with climate objectives and contribute to long-term competitiveness. This represents a vital step in our mission to support a just and circular transition."

Opportunities for Brands

Brands operating within Türkiye and looking to enhance their management of post-industrial textile waste are strongly encouraged to register their interest in the Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye. This initiative stands to transform how the fashion industry addresses waste, promoting a sustainable future for textile manufacturing in Türkiye and beyond.

For more information about the Circular Fashion Partnership Türkiye and how to participate, visit the Global Fashion Agenda's website.