代写DESN5184 Fashion Sustainability and Society (40304)代写留学生R语言

DESN5184

Fashion Sustainability and Society (40304)

1. Introduction

The circular economy (CE) has gained significant attention in recent years, offering a transformative approach to the textile industry (Charnley er al., 2024). The CE tackles climate change and other global challenges, like biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. The textile industry is facing serious resource and environmental problems caused by the heavy pollution and waste from fast fashion (Mölsä et al., 2022). Its impact on the environment includes the large use of chemicals and water, high levels of waste, and significant greenhouse gas emissions, which have increased the need to promote recycling and reuse in the industry (Chen et al., 2021). By collaboration in the CE, the textile industry can mitigate its environmental footprint while fostering economic innovation and sustainable growth (Ellen Macarthur Foundation, 2025). The rise of sustainable fashion reflects a growing consumer consciousness about the harmful effects of fast fashion on ecosystems and communities (Voukkali et al., 2024).

This essay explores the key themes and implications of CE practices in the textile industry, focusing on recycling, business models, supply chains, and consumer engagement. It aims to highlight the challenges and opportunities presented by the shift toward circularity, as well as the role of collaboration in fostering a more sustainable and innovative textile ecosystem. At the outset, the PRISMA methodology will be employed to systematically filter and select articles, ensuring the comprehensiveness and reliability of the gathered information. Through examining existing literature, the essay underscores the importance of adopting circular strategies to mitigate the industry's environmental impact and ensure long-term sustainability.

2. Review Method

Figure1 Steps for systematic literature review (PRISMA method)

2.1. Database selection and preliminary screening

This essay employs PRISMA as a method to identify, select and analyse literature to ensure transparency and scientific integrity of information (Page et al., 2021). The Scopus database was selected due to it is one of the largest databases with the peer-reviewed literature and the content from more than 7,000 publishers (Elsevier, 2024). This ensures a comprehensive review of relevant literature.

A search was conducted on December 16, 2024, on the Scopus. The topic covered the keywords textiles, circular economy and collaboration. In the preliminary search, I used the following terms to query: (“textiles” or “clothing” or “apparel”) and ("circular economy” or “CE”) and “collaboration”. In order to make the search results more comprehensive, I chose two synonyms for textiles, “clothing” and “apparel”, as well as the abbreviation of “circular economy”. The search returned a total of 181 documents.

2.2. Refinement of search results

In this process, only articles in English from the last four years were retained. As the essay will be written in English, it is limited to English language journal articles. And the literature in recent years is more responsive with the current situation. In addition, the document type was filtered, because articles have a standard format, undergo peer review, and typically offer more detailed research analysis. Export the remaining 107 articles after Step 2.

2.3. Speed-reading filter

Titles and keywords were screened to exclude studies that were clearly unrelated to textiles and CE collaborations or focused on unrelated works, such as chemistry. This refined the results to 79 documents.

The abstracts were further screened to determine which studies specifically explored CE practices in the textile industry, leaving 55 articles. Studies that focused only on regulatory or educational aspects were excluded.

2.4. Final selection and theme identification

Following a thorough evaluation of titles, keywords, and abstracts, the full texts of the articles were reviewed to analyze their respective themes. During the reading process, one article was excluded because the full text was not available. And it was found that some articles, although related to both textiles and CE, focused their research on assessment model or legislation building.

Thirty-eight articles were identified as the main sources of the structured literature review, which were of significant relevance and academic value to the study. More than 14 themes were marked in the table, with recycling appearing 13 times, business models 11 times, supply chains 9 times and consumer 6 times.

3. Themes and implication

3.1. Business models

Business models are a fundamental component of advancing the CE in the textile industry (Wójcik-Karpacz er al., 2023). Many sustainability trends are driving a shift in business models from the traditional linear "production-utilization-disposal" paradigm to a circular framework, providing a structure for how value is created, delivered, and captured (Thatta and Polisetty, 2022; Wu et al., 2023). These models not only redefine how value is created, delivered, and captured but also enable partnerships across diverse stakeholders in the textile value chain (Geissdoerfer et al., 2017).

Providing products as a service is a practical approach to embedding CE principles into business models and advancing sustainability. The Product-as-a-Service model shifts the focus from ownership to access, enabling consumers to rent garments instead of buying them (Petänen et al., 2024). Implementations of Product-as-a-Service can be seen globally. In Italy, Drexcode has emerged as the leading online platform. for renting gowns and accessories from top fashion brands (Drexcode, 2020). In addition, in the United States, online platforms offering women's clothing rental services are well established, while in Italy the market is still in its early stages (Colucci and Vecchi, 2021). At the same time, the Indians predict that the global textile industry is transformative, and the future model will emphasize the production of high-quality garments in minimal quantities (Suarez-Visbal et al., 2024). This evolution is supported by the growing influence of sharing and renting services, which are reshaping traditional business operations and accelerating the adoption of CE practices.

The resale and upcycling business models also demonstrate the potential of circular strategies in reshaping the textile industry. Resale extends the life of textiles through second-hand exchanges, while upcycling transforms waste materials into higher-value products(Ta et al., 2022). Both rely on collaboration among firms,governments, designers and consumers to streamline processes and create new value opportunities (Franco, 2017). Without consumer involvement, the circularity of these models cannot be fully realized (Alves et al., 2023; Smagadi and Curcio Lamas, 2024).

By adopting circular business models, companies can drive a sustainable economy, transforming production and consumption to meet demand in innovative ways (Coscieme et al., 2022). The circular economy also fosters innovation in product and business model design, creating opportunities for long-term environmental and economic benefits (Battesini Teixeira et al., 2023).

3.2. Recycling

Recycling plays a pivotal role in the transition of the textile industry toward a circular economy, attracting significant attention for its contribution to resource efficiency and carbon emission reductions (Wei et al., 2024). It provides practical solutions to reduce waste and minimize resource depletion. And it involves repurposing post-consumer into new materials, effectively extending the lifecycle of fabrics (Charnley er al., 2024).

In practice, textile recycling encompasses several methods, mainly mechanical and chemical, each catering to different material types. Mechanical recycling, which involves shredding and reprocessing fibers, is commonly used for natural textiles like cotton and wool. On the other hand, chemical recycling breaks down synthetic fibers like polyester at a molecular level, creating high-quality recycled materials that match or even surpass virgin fibers (Dukovska-Popovska et al., 2023). These methods form. the technical foundation of recycling in the circular textile economy. Some successful recycling cases demonstrate the potential of this approach. H&M has launched a recycling programme that allows consumers to return old clothes to be repurposed into new garments (H&M, 2025). Orange Fiber has also proven the viability of cross-industry collaboration by creating innovative textile materials from the by-products of the citrus production process (Orange Fibre, 2025). Similarly, Gucci implements reuse practices in an extensive way. In 2018, through partnerships with several non-profit organisations, Gucci reused around 11 tonnes of leather offcuts (Colucci and Vecchi, 2021). In addition, dyeing denim with sustainable dyes is an important step in creating products suitable for recycling and reuse and facilitating the transition of the denim industry to a CE (Yousaf, 2023).

Closed-loop systems are another essential model, ensuring waste materials are reintegrated into production processes. By implementing take-back schemes and advanced recycling technologies, businesses can extend textile lifecycles, decrease dependence on virgin materials, and reduce environmental impact (Kazancoglu et al., 2020). Collaboration with recyclers, waste management firms, and manufacturers is critical to creating efficient collection, sorting, and recovery systems (Zamani et al., 2017). Reuse and recycling can be combined for maximum benefit. While textile reuse is generally considered more environmentally friendly than recycling, its potential is inherently finite, as textiles eventually reach a stage where recycling becomes the only viable option for material recovery (Mölsä et al., 2022).

Collaboration is central to scaling recycling initiatives in the textile industry. Once consumers place used textiles into recycling systems, manufacturers assume a pivotal role by adopting circular design principles. Technology providers contribute by introducing innovations like automated sorting systems and molecular recycling processes, which enhance material recovery efficiency (Bocken et al., 2016). Governments further support these efforts by enacting policies such as extended producer responsibility (Wade et al., 2022).

The implications of collaboration in textile recycling are wide-ranging and transformative. Economically, recycling generates new revenue streams by decreasing reliance on virgin materials and opening markets for recycled fibers (Koszewska, 2018). Environmentally, it mitigates key challenges such as textile waste accumulation in landfills and the carbon emissions linked to raw material extraction and production (Sandvik and Stubbs, 2019). Socially, it engages consumers in sustainability initiatives, building stronger brand loyalty and increasing awareness of CE practices (Niinimäki et al., 2020). Furthermore, advancements in recycling technology—propelled by industry and research partnerships—improve the scalability and quality of recycled textiles, making them an increasingly viable alternative to traditional materials (Ribul, 2021). However, the success of all this depends on effective collection systems and consumer participation. Raising awareness of the environmental impact of waste and incentivising recycling behaviour are key to achieving textile recycling.

3.3. Supply chains

Supply chain management is also a common topic in CE research in the textile industry. The supply chain serves as the backbone for ensuring sustainability and resource efficiency. Circular supply chains integrate considerations of material longevity, modularity and resource efficiency into every stage of the production and distribution process, prioritising waste reduction, material reuse and textile recycling to minimise environmental impact (Mayanti and Helo, 2024).

The localisation and sustainability of supply chains are effective ways to implement CE. Traditional linear supply chains often rely on globalised production networks, and while this model is cost-effective, it also carries a higher carbon footprint and risk of resource wastage. However, companies that adopt CE are often able to achieve greater resource efficiency and environmental benefits by designing localised supply chains (Howard et al., 2022). For example, Zeta initially relied on production in the Far East, but as the business grew, Zeta gradually relocated 90% of its production to the local Finnish market (Rovanto and Bask, 2021). This localisation strategy not only significantly reduces transport-related carbon emissions, but also improves responsiveness and controllability through a tighter supply chain network. Localised supply chain design reduces risk and improves resilience to the circular economy, while also providing a replicable path for other companies to follow.

Technology innovation is another critical enabler of a circular supply chain. For instance, digital technology promotes supply chain transparency and material traceability (Charnley er al., 2024). Supply chain transparency and traceability are equally essential for fostering trust and accountability among stakeholders. Digital tools such as blockchain technology and sensors facilitate realtime tracking of materials, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards. For example, tools such as RFID tags and QR codes help companies track inventory, streamline operations, and improve supply chain visibility (Sahoo et al., 2024).

Circular supply chains also benefit from optimising shipment quantities (Singh and Goel, 2024). Predictive analytics and machine learning tools can enhance demand forecasting and production planning. Artificial intelligence-driven tools analyse consumption trends and predict demand fluctuations, enabling companies to reduce overproduction and avoid overstocking. This proactive approach reduces waste and ensures that production is aligned with actual market demand (Farshadfar et al., 2024).

In addition to localisation and technology, multi-party collaboration is vital to drive circular supply chain transformation. Charity shops can help fast fashion companies improve their capabilities in the reverse supply chain. These organizations make significant economic, social, and environmental contributions in nearly every country. 31% of collected textiles in the United Kingdom were resold through charity shops for reuse in 2019 (Zanjirani Farahani et al., 2022). Currently, approximately 62% of these items are exported to low-income countries, extending their lifecycle through reuse (Zanjirani Farahani et al., 2022). Figure 2 illustrates how charities can collaborate to move the entire textile supply chain in a circular direction.

Figure 2 :Macro-level charity shop textile supply chain(Zanjirani Farahani et al., 2022)

The sustainable development of these circular supply chains reduces the costs associated with inefficiency and overproduction. At the same time, they reduce resource extraction and emissions, contributing to the overall goal of protecting the environment. However, challenges remain in developing new technologies, enabling industry-wide collaboration and addressing cost barriers (Schumacher and Forster, 2022). To tackle these problems, multi-stakeholder engagement, supportive government policies and sustained investment in technology and infrastructure are required (Kazancoglu et al., 2021).

3.4. Consumer engagement

Consumers are at the heart of the success of the CE of textiles, as they act both as customers and as suppliers of used clothing. Their actions and choices directly influence the effects of circular practices (Sandberg, 2023). The demand for sustainable products is increasing as the industry and consumers become aware of the environmental consequences of previous choices (Rahee and Sarker, 2024). Young consumers in particular are highly sensitive to social and environmental issues and their purchases are influenced by sustainability and CE principles. Generation Z, the main consumer of the future, has a higher environmental awareness and the characteristics of buying environmentally friendly products (Musova et al., 2021).

Consumer participation begins with awareness and education about circular practices. Many brands have launched initiatives to inform. consumers about the environmental impact of fast fashion and the benefits of circular economy practices. For example, Patagonia's "Worn Wear" program encourages customers to buy used products, trade in their gear, and learn how to repair their clothing, promoting product longevity and reducing waste (Buchholz, 2023). Such campaigns highlight the importance of engaging consumers in circular initiatives and empowering them to make informed decisions. As customers learn more about sustainable clothing, this leads to educational discussions with friends. Educational discussions and interactions in social networks also influence the curiosity and motivation of the general public. They experienced that clothes made from reused and recycled materials enabled them to express their identity and values (Ta et al., 2022).

Behavioral incentives are another effective strategy for engaging consumers. Campaigns like The North Face’s “Clothes the Loop” encourages customers to drop off used apparel and footwear (from any brand) at their retail and outlet stores. In return, participants receive a $10 reward toward a future purchase of $100 or more (Graves, 2023). This initiative not only offers a financial incentive but also promotes sustainability by reducing textile waste through recycling old products.

The rise of digital platforms has further facilitated consumer participation in circular practices. Second-hand marketplaces such as Depop, Poshmark, and Vinted enable consumers to buy, sell, or exchange pre-owned clothing. These platforms can help to reduce the cost of purchase for consumers and extends the lifecycle of textiles (Berg and Wilts, 2019). Similarly, rental services like “Rent the Runway” allow consumers to access fashion without owning garments, reducing the demand for new products (Chi et al., 2023). These platforms demonstrate how digital innovation can bridge the gap between consumers and CE principles.

Engaging consumers in circular practices can bring economic, environmental and social benefits. It creates new sources of income, reduces waste, conserves resources and promotes sustainable consumption habits (Baldassarre et al., 2019)

Barriers to consumer participation in recycling practices include limited awareness, convenience and accessibility. Many consumers are unaware of the recycling options available or find them inconvenient (Koszewska, 2018). Collaboration between consumers, brands and policy makers is needed to increase adoption rates. Focus efforts on raising awareness, utilising digital tools, providing incentives and fostering collaboration between stakeholders (Fiori et al., 2023).

4. Barriers and opportunities

Although the textile industry's transition to a CE is promising, it also faces several obstacles in its implementation.

First of all, economic challenges impede the adoption of CE practices. The current way in which the entire textile, clothing and recycling industry conducts business hinders the development of circular textile systems. The system is not built to be circular, and stakeholders are largely driven by sales and profit margins(Voukkali et al. 2024). Implementing circular strategies often requires significant initial investments in infrastructure, technology, and workforce training. And the cost of recycling processes, especially chemical recycling, remains high compared to producing virgin materials (Molsa and others, 2022). Sustainable fashion practices can be a costly endeavor for companies, sometimes making them less competitive than the traditional modes of communication adopted in the fashion field (Hartley et al., 2022).

The second is the complexity of existing textile supply chains. Traditional linear supply chains often lack the infrastructure and systems to support circular practices, such as material take-back schemes or advanced recycling technologies (Schumacher and Forster, 2022). The fragmented nature of global textile production also makes collaboration among stakeholders difficult, particularly in aligning objectives and standards across different regions There is a lack of uniform. product standards in the classification of used clothing reuse and redistribution. There is an old textile classification system among some international traders, but it is not uniform. across the industry (Mahanty and Domenech, 2024).

Third, from a technological perspective, while innovations such as molecular recycling and blockchain-based traceability systems offer solutions, they are not yet widely available or scalable. Intensive efforts are still needed in the recycling of mixed materials, different colors and multi-layer textile products (Farrukh and Sajjad, 2024). In addition, current research on the application of circularity, communication, information, transparency and traceability is not comprehensive (Gomes et al., 2023).

The last one I will discuss is behavioral barriers, which also play a critical role. Many consumers lack awareness of circular economy principles, are unwiling to change their buying habits, and are not even sure how to recycle them(Suarez-Visbal et al., 2022). Fast fashion's appeal of affordability and convenience continues to dominate consumer choices, making it challenging to promote sustainable alternatives (Sandberg, 2023).

Despite these barriers, the opportunities for advancing CE in the textile industry are substantial. One major opportunity lies in policy interventions. Governments can play a pivotal role by introducing incentives. The government could introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework that includes guidelines, protocols, and standards for CE practices. And consider providing financial incentives and support schemes such as subsidies, tax reductions, low-interest loans to companies that adopt CE practices and sustainable innovations to ease their financial burden (Dhiwar and Bedarkar, 2024).

Moreover, increased investment in technology development can improve the scalability and efficiency of recycling technologies, such as advanced material separation and chemical recycling, while simultaneously lowering costs. Digital innovations, including artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, have the potential to streamline supply chain operations, enhance transparency, and encourage collaboration among stakeholders (Saberi et al., 2019).

Additionally, brands can leverage social media and digital platforms to engage sustainability conscious consumers by educating them on the benefits and importance of circular economy practices (Ng et al., 2025).

Collaboration is a key enabler of these opportunities. It is not enough for a single company to adapt the CE. To produce a truly circular product, textile companies need all stakeholders across the supply chain to adopt circular practices (Kazancoglu et al., 2022). Transitioning to an environmentally friendly circular economy requires the ability to analyze the whole value chains, risks, and their environmental impacts. Various CE options must be evaluated from a comprehensive environmental perspective to identify and implement the most suitable solutions (Horn et al., 2023).