Fashion follows a linear business model of take, make, and waste. This system, designed to churn out goods faster and cheaper, drives overconsumption, with 92 million tons of textile waste ending up in landfills globally each year.
Terms like reuse and recycle are often afterthoughts rather than integrated solutions in the fashion industry. While sustainability focuses on reducing harm, circularity aims to create a system where materials are continuously reused or cycled back into production. As consumers, we can play a crucial role in driving this transition. Here are five ways to participate in a closed-loop fashion system.
1. Know your products
See that shirt hanging in the store? Have you ever wondered how it got there? At Fashion Revolution USA, a key question we encourage consumers to ask is, “Who made my clothes?” Asking questions before purchasing can lead to better choices that impact our planet and our health. Understanding the journey from raw material to product disposal is key to making informed decisions. Look for brands that are transparent about their supply chains, emphasize care, and are intentional with their product’s end life.
2. Shop secondhand
Before buying new, consider secondhand options. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and platforms like eBay and Depop offer a wide variety of pre-loved items. Buying secondhand not only extends the life of garments but also reduces waste and saves approximately 75% of the carbon footprint associated with producing new clothes.
3. Upcycle clothes
Upcycling means transforming old items into something new. Instead of discarding clothes, get creative! Cut, sew, dye, or repurpose garments to give them a fresh look. By learning simple sewing techniques or utilizing a tailor, you can maintain the integrity of your clothes for extended use. If DIY isn’t your thing, there’s a growing marketplace of designers specializing in upcycled fashion, offering one-of-a-kind pieces that can enhance your wardrobe.
4. Engage with your community
Recycling systems vary by location, and many textiles end up in landfills due to the lack of proper infrastructure in the United States. A study by Everest Labs found that 27% of valuable recyclable materials still end up in landfills. To reduce this, familiarize yourself with local recycling guidelines at your municipality and Goodwill. Before throwing away textiles, ask, “Is there a better way to dispose of this?” Often, the answer is yes! Reaching out to local recycling centers for a tour can be fun and help ensure you’re disposing of items responsibly. Educate yourself and help spread awareness to debunk current recycling myths.
5. Ask questions
While 95% of textiles are recyclable or reusable, our current infrastructure makes achieving this difficult. For example, recycling blended textiles — fabrics made from a mix of fibers like polyester and cotton — is far more challenging than recycling 100% cotton. In fact, over 60% of global clothing is made from blended fabrics, complicating recycling efforts. With 100 billion garments produced globally each year, this creates a significant issue. It’s important to investigate take-back programs offered by brands and focus on companies that emphasize circular design, ensuring their products are made for easy disassembly, repair, or recycling after their use over mere recycling.
At the heart of circular fashion is the principle of reducing consumption. It’s important to remember: reduce, reuse, then recycle. Focus on quality over quantity by investing in pieces that have an end-life solution, and wear what you have before discarding. Although large-scale systemic changes are needed, individual choices make a difference. By adopting these simple practices, you can help the fashion industry move from a linear model to a circular system, contributing to a more sustainable future.
