#Sweden #Stockholm #HM Foundation #Circle Economy #Textiles

Transforming the Textile Industry: A Call for Circularity

The H&M Foundation has recently unveiled a groundbreaking report produced by Circle Economy, which provides a deep dive into the current state of circularity within the textile sector. This comprehensive analysis details the environmental impact of the textile industry and emphasizes the need for immediate action to pivot towards sustainable practices. Key principles highlighted in the report include the adoption of circular economy strategies such as reuse, recycling, and promoting 'slow fashion'.

The State of Circularity in Textiles

The report uncovers some startling statistics: only 0.3% of the 3.25 billion tons of materials utilized annually in the textile industry come from recycled sources. Meanwhile, synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels make up a staggering 70% of the sector’s raw materials. This is a clear indication that the textile industry is heavily reliant on non-renewable resources, necessitating a shift toward renewable and recycled fibers.

In addition to focusing on sustainable materials, the report argues for the importance of enhancing garment durability, localizing supply chains, and reducing production and consumption volumes to foster a more sustainable and circular model in the industry.

Christiane Dolva, the head of innovation, research, and demonstration at the H&M Foundation, states, “We supported this report to provide actionable insights to the textile industry. It emphasizes the most effective circularity efforts. While it’s not a comprehensive solution, circularity can lead to significant changes... We hope this information will contribute to the transformation of the entire sector, benefiting both people and the planet.”

Recommendations for a Circular Future

The report also outlines four key recommendations to promote a sustainable future for the textile industry:
1. Transform Production Practices: Address overproduction issues by reshaping production cycles and resource use.
2. Broaden Environmental Goals: Focus on environmental impacts beyond just carbon emissions, particularly regarding aquatic ecosystems.
3. Socially Just Circular Transition: Emphasize decent work, fair wages, and improved working conditions within the industry.
4. Coordinated Action Across Sectors: Facilitate collective action in science, technology, policy, and finance to build a circular textile economy.

Hilde van Duijn, the general director of the Circle Economy Foundation, commented on the report, saying: “The CGR Textiles study is the first in-depth analysis to measure circularity in the textile sector, highlighting the urgent need for solutions that transform the entire textile value chain into a circular model. Only through concrete and scalable actions can the industry significantly contribute to a sustainable future.”

Supporting Circular Economy Initiatives

The insights from this report align with the H&M Foundation’s ongoing initiatives such as the Global Change Award, which accelerates innovations that benefit both people and the planet, and Saamuhika Shakti, which encourages inclusive circularity in solidarity with waste collectors. Moving forward, the H&M Foundation intends to leverage the findings from this report to guide its philanthropic efforts aimed at decarbonizing the textile industry fairly and equitably, targeting areas where their support can yield the most substantial impact.

For readers interested in exploring the full report, it is available at circularity-gap.world/textiles.

Contact: Jasmina Sofić, Media Relations Manager, +4673 465 59 59.