New Expert Group on Circular Economy

On October 7th, the new expert group (EG) on circular economy started with a virtual kick-off meeting. Around 35 Partnership members are participating in the new EG. Their aim is to identify and develop best practices and guidelines on recyclable processes and products along the entire textile value chain. In doing so, they primarily follow the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.

The promotion of recyclable textiles promises great potential for minimising the negative environmental impact of the textile production. The main objective is to identify challenges and develop solutions to maintain the value of fibres and textiles for as long as possible. Waste and resource consumption should be kept to a minimum and - in the best case - all resources should be returned to the economic cycle.

The members of the expert group plan activities on five main topics:

1. Sustainable design: Sustainable design plays a key role in the implementation of a circular economy. The prerequisite for recyclable products is high-quality raw materials that are already defined in the design process. It is also determined what technical material and processing efforts are necessary for the creation of a product. The EG wants to develop an overview on materials and support services for recyclable fibres in order to promote the optimisation of design concepts and fibre use as well as a better assessment of fibres.
2. Repair, sharing, collection, re-use and recycling: This is about the recycling of textiles and the challenges associated with the issues. The experts form subgroups on these topics. Here they compile best practices and exchange views on the problems and possible solutions.
3. Alternative business models: These include leasing, sharing and repair - all models with great potential.
4. Packaging: Packaging is associated with a high use of resources. It is necessary to optimise the scope and use of materials in order to use sustainable resources and ensure the best possible recyclability. To this end, a peer learning group will be set up with two objectives: Firstly, the members want to make tools for material evaluation more accessible. Secondly, the optimisation of packaging logic will focus on how packaging can be saved and what sustainable alternatives are available.
5. Stakeholder dialogue: Stakeholders in textile collection, recycling, recyclers, designers and producers have hardly been in touch with each other. The EG would therefore like to promote a dialogue with relevant partners such as industry associations, research institutes and organisations that are also working on circular economy.

The following members are involved in the expert group on circular economy:
ALDI NORD, ALDI SÜD, artus group, bluesign, BMZ, Brands Fashion, Bremer Baumwollbörse, Bundesverband des Deutschen Textileinzelhandels, CharLe, Closed Loop Fashion, Deuter Sports, Dibella, Dieckhoff Textilsysteme, FairWertung, Gemeinschaft für textile Zukunft, Gesamtverband der deutschen Textil- und Modeindustrie, GOTS, GREIFF Mode, HAKRO, Hof University, Hopp, HUMANA Kleidersammlung, IVY & OAK, KiK, Lidl, MISEREOR, NABU, NKD Services, OEKO-TEX, ORTOVOX Sportartikel, Primark, Sympatex Technologies, Takko, Tchibo, Triaz (Waschbär Umweltversand), Umweltbundesamt, VAUDE Sport, WWF and ZDHC

If you have any questions or would like to participate in the EG, please contact the EG coordinator Creta Gambillara.