The fashion industry is at a turning point. Known for its glamour, creativity, and influence, fashion also carries a darker legacy immense textile waste, unsustainable resource extraction, and a massive environmental footprint. As we confront the consequences of this linear system, a better alternative is emerging: the circular economy. In this deep dive, we’ll explore how circular economy practices in the fashion industry are not just transforming clothing production and consumption, but also minimizing waste, preserving natural resources, and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Fashion Industry of Today
The global fashion sector is worth over $2.5 trillion, employing over 75 million people worldwide. It’s a fast-moving, highly influential industry that plays a central role in how people express identity and culture. However, this influence has come at a cost.
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The average person buys 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago but keeps each item half as long.
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Nearly 85% of all textiles go to landfills or are incinerated, despite most materials being recyclable.
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The industry contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions—more than international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Fashion and the Circular Economy
Why the Current Clothing System Doesn’t Work
The mainstream linear economy model follows a destructive pattern:
Take → Make → Waste.
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Take: Raw materials like cotton, polyester (from fossil fuels), and water are extracted.
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Make: Fast fashion companies produce trendy, low-cost clothing at scale.
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Waste: Clothes are quickly discarded due to low durability, fleeting trends, or lack of repair options.
This cycle encourages overproduction, underutilization, and waste generation—draining non-renewable resources, polluting the environment, and threatening climate stability.
Key Issues Within the Industry
1. Clothing is Massively Underutilised
Most garments are worn less than 10 times before being discarded. This results in low return on resources invested in production and increases the burden on waste management systems.
2. An Immense Environmental Footprint
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Metric |
Impact |
|---|---|
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Water Use |
One cotton shirt = 2,700 liters of water |
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Carbon Emissions |
1.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ per year |
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Microplastic Pollution |
35% of ocean microplastics come from synthetic textiles |
3. Catastrophic Potential
If current trends continue, the fashion industry could account for 25% of the global carbon budget by 2050. The post-consumer stage—where garments end up in landfills or incinerators—is especially damaging, and particularly burdensome for low-income countries, which often serve as waste dumping grounds.
The Vision of a Circular Economy for Fashion
The circular fashion system presents a sustainable alternative. It aims to:
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Minimize waste and pollution
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Keep products and materials in use
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Regenerate natural systems
Learn more: Introduction to the Circular Economy
A circular system for fashion has the following characteristics:
1. High-Quality, Affordable, Individualised Clothing
Designing clothes for longevity, adaptability, and modularity encourages repeated use and customization, challenging the throwaway mentality.
2. Capturing Full Value During and After Use
Garments retain value beyond their first use via repair, resale, upcycling, and recycling—extending the product life cycle.
3. Powered by Renewable Energy and Resources
The production process must transition to renewable energy, while relying on sustainably grown or recycled raw materials (like organic cotton, hemp, or recycled polyester).
4. True Cost Reflects Environmental and Societal Impact
The price tag should account for fair wages, carbon costs, resource extraction, and environmental externalities, promoting responsible consumption.
5. Regenerates Nature, Not Pollutes
From non-toxic dyes to biodegradable fibers, circular fashion supports ecosystems, not depletes them.
6. Distributive by Design
Circular economy models empower workers, communities, and local economies, avoiding the extractive practices that exploit both people and planet.
Innovative Circular Business Models
1. Clothes Rental Models
Brands like Rent the Runway, Le Tote, and By Rotation allow customers to rent fashion instead of buying. This reduces demand for new garments while providing variety and affordability.
2. Make Durability More Attractive
Design and marketing strategies can highlight durability as a desirable feature. Patagonia leads the way by offering lifetime repair services and rugged, functional styles.
3. Make Resale Appealing
The secondhand market is booming. Platforms like ThredUP, Vestiaire Collective, and Depop have made resale trendy and mainstream. Fashion giants like Zara and H&M are now investing in in-house resale platforms.
4. Boost Clothing Care
Educational campaigns and apps are emerging to promote better garment care:
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Wash less frequently
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Use cold water
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Air dry
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Repair small damages
🔗 Explore: The Jeans Redesign by Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2019–2023)
Pause for Thought
Circular fashion is not just about new technologies or materials—it’s a mindset shift. The real transformation comes when designers, consumers, brands, and policymakers all recognize clothing as a resource to be valued.
The Role of the Individual
As individuals, we hold immense power in driving change:
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Choose sustainable clothing brands
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Participate in clothing swaps
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Learn basic sewing and repair skills
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Support brands using recycled materials
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Ask fashion companies about their supply chains and circular economy initiatives
Quote to reflect on:
“The most sustainable garment is the one already in your wardrobe.” — Orsola de Castro
The Fashion Industry of the Future
In a truly circular fashion economy, the production process is clean, the value chain is transparent, and waste is designed out entirely. New garments are made from reused fibers, local manufacturing is revived, and the fashion sector contributes to climate resilience and social equity.
🔗 Rethinking Business Models for a Thriving Fashion Industry
Case Studies Worth Exploring
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MUD Jeans: Offers denim on lease and closed-loop recycling.
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For Days: A zero-waste brand using a “take back” bag for used clothes.
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Eileen Fisher Renew: Revives old garments for resale or upcycling.
News & Resources
Stay updated with initiatives driving the transition to a circular economy:
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Fashion Revolution: Transparency Index
Internal Reading Suggestions
Final Thoughts
The shift to circular economy practices in the fashion industry is not just a trend—it’s a survival strategy for the planet and a call to reimagine our relationship with clothing. By embracing recycled materials, innovative business models, and resource efficiency, the fashion world can become a powerful force for sustainable development.
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