The global apparel market is worth $1.84 trillion, and people are buying 60% more clothes than they did before. However, even such a market is not stable, and it sees the most changes than any other industry.
A recent report by McKinsey and Company suggests a topsy turvy ride for the fashion industry. Although it is hard to ascertain but certain factors make it pretty evident. These include acceleration in climate change, high inflation affecting consumers buying power, and shifting dynamics in global trade along with tariff threat.
However, among many reasons, the fashion industry is constantly criticized for its negative environmental impact. The European Union (EU) seemed the most concerned as it is not only publishing factual reports but even launched a circular economy action plan (CEAP) in 2020.
No wonder there is a growing need for how fashion is produced and consumed.
Why the Buzzword is Circular Fashion?
The existing fashion system follows a linear pattern. It means there is mass production and consumption of apparel products. However, most clothing or footwear are made from synthetics based on fossil fuel that are not designed to be reused or recycled.
The advent of fast fashion is further influencing this linear pattern. It entices consumers to buy high-quality fashion designs at a cheap price. The result is buying and disposing of clothes at a rapid pace. These items end up in landfills in massive quantity, sent to third-world countries, or destroyed which affects the environment in more ways than one.
Circular fashion is a key part of a circular economy model, which focuses on minimizing waste and making the most out of resources. The conventional linear model follows the principle of "take, make, dispose." The raw materials are extracted, manufactured into apparel items, and then discarded.
In circular fashion, the goal is developing a closed-loop system where materials are cycled back into the economy and reduces the need of new resource extraction.
The Key Principles of Circular Fashion
To embrace circular fashion, textile brands need to understand and implement its core principles.
Let us discuss the five principles
1. Longevity in Design
The apparel items are designed to be durable. The focus is developing high-quality products, giving attention to details on processes like stitching, fabric choice, and color, and extending the lifespan to avoid frequent replacements.
2. Use of Ecofriendly Materials
Textile brands must prioritize sustainable materials that are easily recyclable or repurposed. Incorporate fabrics like organic cotton, and recycled polyester, that have a lesser environmental impact. Apart from materials, employ production methods that cut waste and improve quality.
3. Recycling Programs
Brands must introduce programs to take back used garments for reuse or recycling. Reverse logistics systems can be set up or resale markets, secondhand stores, or online platforms should be encouraged. This way clothing products are bought, swapped and kept in use for a longer duration.
4. Repair and Reuse
Instead of discarding items, consumers should be encouraged to repair or alter garments. Brands can promote repair services or offer DIY repair kits that can upgrade the design and reduce the need for new purchases.
5. Closing the Loop
Developing a system where apparel products can be fully recycled at the end of their lifecycle. This will reduce landfill waste and allow items to be reused in new clothing.
The Role of Technology in Circular Fashion
The transition to circular fashion is not without challenges. Brands must innovate and adopt technologies that enable circularity to become a reality. This is where digital solutions play a crucial role.
One such company offering these digital solutions is Triple Tree Solutions, a leader in supply chain management for the textile and apparel industry. Triple Tree provides brands with innovative tools that can help track, manage, and optimize the entire lifecycle of a garment, from production to end-of-life recycling.
Triple Tree Solutions offers several cutting-edge digital tools that can help textile brands achieve circularity. These tools include ColordesQ, Quonda, and TrackIT, all of which are designed to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure the highest level of sustainability throughout the fashion production process.
1. ColordesQ: Digital Color Management
One of the challenges in textile production is achieving consistent color quality across various materials and manufacturing processes. Traditional color management often leads to inefficiencies, as misalignments in color batches can result in excess waste due to remakes or disposal of imperfect items.
ColordesQ offers a digital solution that streamlines color management, allowing brands to ensure accurate color replication from initial design to final production. By utilizing a cloud-based platform for real-time color evaluation and approval, ColordesQ minimizes the need for remakes, reducing material waste and cutting costs. For circular fashion, this level of precision ensures that the end product is of high quality and can be used in a longer lifecycle, whether through resale, repurposing, or recycling.
2. QUONDA: Quality Management for Circularity
A core principle of circular fashion is designing products with durability and quality in mind. For garments to be reused, resold, or recycled, they must maintain high quality over time. Quonda, Triple Tree’s quality management system, helps ensure that each product meets sustainability standards from start to finish.
Quonda allows brands to collect real-time data on product quality, streamline inspections, and generate comprehensive reports for audits and compliance. With features like real-time data capture and automated reporting, Quonda enhances the brand's ability to produce high-quality garments that can withstand the rigors of multiple uses or recycling processes. By tracking quality at every stage of production, Quonda ensures that products can be safely returned to the supply chain for reuse, repair, or recycling, which is vital for circular fashion.
3. TrackIT: End-to-End Production Tracking
Efficient production tracking is essential for brands to monitor sustainability practices and ensure that their garments follow a circular lifecycle. TrackIT is an advanced tool that helps textile brands manage production processes from raw material sourcing to final delivery. With real-time tracking of purchase orders, shipments, and production timelines, TrackIT provides brands with the visibility they need to prevent delays and inefficiencies in the supply chain.
For circular fashion, TrackIT also plays a crucial role in identifying which products are suitable for recycling or resale. By capturing data on the materials used, product conditions, and supply chain processes, TrackIT makes it easier for brands to manage the end-of-life stages of their products, ensuring they are correctly processed for reuse or recycling.
What Textile Brands Need to Do: Practical Steps for Embracing Circular Fashion
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of circular fashion and the role of digital solutions, let's look at the practical steps textile brands should take to implement circularity.
1. Rethink Product Design
Brands must shift their focus from designing disposable products to creating long-lasting, repairable, and recyclable garments. This involves working with sustainable materials and ensuring that products can be disassembled and reused at the end of their lifecycle.
2. Build a Circular Supply Chain
Brands should work closely with partners across the supply chain, from raw material suppliers to recyclers and second-hand marketplaces. Establishing clear take-back schemes, repair services, and reverse logistics systems will ensure that garments remain in circulation.
3. Foster Consumer Engagement
Encouraging consumers to embrace circular fashion requires education and incentives. Brands can offer trade-in programs, repair services, or rewards for returning old garments. Transparency in sustainability practices can also build trust and loyalty with consumers who prioritize eco-friendly brands.
Conclusion
Circular fashion is not just a passing trend—it is the future of the textile and apparel industry. As sustainability becomes a top priority for consumers and brands alike, adopting circular practices is essential for long-term success.
By embracing digital solutions like Triple Tree’s ColordesQ, Quonda, and TrackIT, textile brands can streamline their processes, reduce waste, and optimize product lifecycles, paving the way for a more sustainable future in fashion.
The time to act is now. As circular fashion continues to rise, brands that take proactive steps will not only contribute to a more sustainable planet but also position themselves as leaders in the ever-evolving fashion industry.
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