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TEXTILE ECOSYSTEM IN EUROPE

Circular Strategies

The circular strategies include wide range of measures of preventing unnecessary resource use and extending the lifetime of products and components. Some of them are focused on manufacturing stage, while others on use phase. Recycling and energy recovery options are of lowest priority in circular system. As a general principle, strategies that retain products, components and materials at their highest value with the least processing should be prioritised whenever feasible. The table presents circular economy strategies for textiles by comparing the R-hierarchy described by Potting et al. (2017) with the terminology used in ISO 59004:2024. Textile-specific examples illustrate how each strategy can be applied in practice. More information in tExtended deliverable report D1.2

Impact Circular Strategy Explanation Textile related examples
Potting et al. 2017 ISO 59004:2024
Smarter use of resources R0 Refuse Refuse Making product redundant by abandoning its function or using other products instead
  • Eliminate unnecessary textile products – e.g. avoiding textile mesh bags for fruits that already have natural peel protection.
  • Replace single-use items with reusable textiles – e.g. paper napkins or disposable gowns replaced by washable fabric alternatives.
  • Refuse overproduction – producing textiles only on demand or via pre-orders to avoid surplus and deadstock.
  • Avoid low-use promotional textiles – refusing event T-shirts, goody bags, or giveaways that are rarely used.
R1 Rethink Rethink Make products use more intensive, for example, by sharing or multifunctionality. Redesign and manufacturing.
  • Sharing, Product-as-a-service and rental models – e.g. leasing workwear, using clothing libraries, or renting garments instead of individual ownership to increase use intensity.
  • More intensive use by design – multifunctional garments (e.g. modular or all-season clothing) used by the same user more often.
  • Reducing unused items – avoiding personalised or excess workwear sets that are never worn due to staff changes or preferences.
– Source Use recycled and/or renewable resources. Products are recyclable or can be returned into biosphere.
  • Use recycled raw materials – sourcing fibres from recycled textile waste instead of virgin resources.
  • Use renewable or bio-based materials – prioritising fibres from renewable feedstocks where suitable.
  • Choose materials designed for circularity – sourcing fibres and materials that are easier to recycle.
  • Avoid problematic materials – refusing sources that contain hazardous substances or hinder recycling and reuse.
R2 Reduse Reduce Increasing efficiency in production, and consuming less through efficient manufacture and/or use.
  • Reduce material use in products – e.g. fewer components (buttons, pockets, reinforcements) and lighter constructions.
  • Reduce resource use in production – e.g. less water, energy and chemicals through more efficient processes.
  • Use recycled or lower-impact materials – replacing virgin fibres with recycled or more sustainable alternatives where feasible.
  • Improve quality to reduce consumption – higher-quality textiles with longer lifetimes reduce the need for frequent replacement.
Extend lifespan of the products R3 Reuse Same as in Potting, but in reverse order Repair first and Reuse second Reusing functioning discarded products by another user in its original function
  • Second-hand use of garments – clothing used by a new user without changing its function via donations, take-back schemes, and second-hand shops enabling reuse.
  • Design for durability – higher quality textiles that withstand multiple use cycles and users.
  • Preparation for reuse – minor cleaning to make discarded textiles reusable again.
R4 Repair Repairing and maintenance of defective products thus keeping them in their original function
  • User-led repair – consumers repairing and maintaining their own textiles during use, e.g. by repairing tears, seams, zippers or buttons to keep products in use.
  • Professional repair services – repairs done by specialised services or industrial laundering companies.
  • Repair to enable reuse – fixing slightly damaged discarded textiles so they can be reused by another user.
R5 Refurbish Refurbish Restoring and updating old products and bringing them up-to-date
  • Restoring product performance – e.g. re-coating waterproof garments or re-treating textiles to regain lost properties.
  • Updating appearance – redyeing garments, removing pilling, or adapting out-of-fashion items to current styles.
  • Replacing textile parts in products – renewing worn textile components in products such as furniture to extend overall product life.
Expand lifespan of the parts of products R6 Remanufacture Remanufacture Using parts of discarded products in a new product within same function
  • Using parts of discarded textiles in new products – e.g. salvaging fabric panels, yarns, buttons or zippers from end-of-life garments to make new garments with the same function.
  • Re-knitting or re-assembling textiles – disassembling knitwear, removing damaged sections, and re-using intact yarns to produce a new garment.
  • Upgrading discarded workwear or uniforms – removing logos or functional elements and remanufacturing the textile into similar products without safety or branding constraints.
  • Industrial remanufacturing with quality control – selecting suitable discarded textiles and remanufacturing them into products that meet defined performance requirements.
R7 Repurpose Repurpose Using products or their parts in a new product with a different function
  • Using textiles for a new function – e.g. discarded garments turned into bags, rugs, quilts, or accessories.
  • Creative reuse of materials – fabrics or textile parts repurposed into interior elements such as sound-absorbing panels or carpets.
  • Repurposing non-reusable textiles – textiles unsuitable for reuse (e.g. branded or safety garments) used in applications without original performance requirements.
Utilization of materials – Cascade Optimise the use of recovered materials so they are going from one loop to another often decreasing in numbers and quality ending up in another application
  • Prioritising highest-value use first – textiles are directed first to reuse, then remanufacture/repurpose, and only later to recycling.
  • Quality-based sorting – textiles are sorted by condition and material quality to select the most suitable next use.
  • Sequential material use – fibres used first in high-value applications (e.g. yarns), then lower-value ones (e.g. nonwovens, fillers).
  • Minimising processing and losses – choosing routes that retain material value and minimise environmental impact before final end-of-life.
R8 Recycle Recycle processing and recycling materials to obtain the same or lower quality Textile recycling technologies are explained in details in Recycling page
R9 Recover Recover Incinerating of materials for energy recovery
  • Incineration of textile do not differ significantly from incineration of other materials
– – Remine Extraction of resources from landfill or waste plants
  • Not applicable to textiles