PST focus topics

Circular economy and climate protection

Focus topic

The negative impacts of the textile sector on the environment and the climate are far-reaching. In particular, the textile industry is characterised by the high consumption of resources and land as well as the high environmentally harmful emissions. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the production of textiles alone causes around 10 percent of global CO2 emissions per year.

Against this background, the topic of circular economy is becoming increasingly important. The aim here is to preserve the value of textiles for as long as possible, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to integrate textile waste into the cycle as a valuable secondary raw material and reuse it for further processes.

The critical examination of these topics is oriented towards the core objectives of the European Green Deal and the current textile strategy of the EU Commission. Important for achieving these goals is an early preparation for upcoming requirements as well as a transparent and sustainable conversion of one's own supply chains.

In the course of this, member companies should intensively address the circularity of their internal processes. This includes circular design, durability and reparability of textile products and their disposal, but also the use of secondary raw materials and the traceability of harmful chemicals.

Reference framework

The Textiles Partnership and its members strive for a more sustainable production, use and recycling of textile products and thus the establishment of a climate-neutral circular economy in the textile sector. In doing so, the Partnership and its members are guided by the EU Sustainable Textiles Strategy and the goals and recommendations of the UNFCCC Fashion Charter for Climate Action.

The EU Sustainable Textiles Strategy aims to reduce GHG emissions and optimise resource use, including through the selection of sustainable fibres according to the principles of sustainable design (sustainable fibres, durability, repairability, recyclability), a higher recycling rate and the exclusion of substances of concern.

This also addresses key OECD sector risks : Resource use and environmental protection, chemical use, waste water and greenhouse gas emissions. The requirements derived for the Partnership are based on the EU Textile Strategy as well as on the recommendations of the Fashion Charter and are harmonised with ZDHC requirements on MRSL for chemical use and Wastewater Standard Foundational.

Anforderungen und Indikatoren

Die Zielsetzung zur Implementierung kreislaufwirtschaftlicher Prozesse und zur Reduktion von Treibhausgas-Emissionen ist im Unternehmen verbindlich geregelt. Eine entsprechende Declaration of Principles inkl. einer Beschreibung zielführender Prozesse und Maßnahmen liegt öffentlich vor und wird regelmäßig aktualisiert.

Ressourceneinsatz, Materialauswahl, textile Abfälle, Vernichtung von Neuware
Anforderungen Indikatoren

Reduktion von Primärstoffen

Der Einsatz von Primärrohstoffen wird laufend reduziert und die thermische Verwertung bzw. Deponierung von Textilien minimiert.

  • Anteil in Prozent der eingesetzten Primärrohstoffe (nach Faserart).

  • Anteil der unverkauften Neuware in Prozent zu der gesamten Neuware (inkl. gebrauchten, aber gebrauchs- und verkaufsfähigen Ware, Retouren und Reparaturen, die vernichtet und gespendet werden).

Umweltschädliche Emissionen
Anforderungen Indikatoren

Reduktion von THG-Emissionen

Die mit dem Geschäftsbetrieb des Unternehmens einhergehenden unmittelbaren und mittelbaren THG-Emissionen werden entsprechend der Zielsetzung des Fashion Charter for Climate Action laufend reduziert.

  • Scope 1 Emissionen (CO2 Eq)

  • Scope 2 Emissionen (CO2 Eq)

  • Scope 3 Emissionen (CO2 Eq)

MRSL Konformität

Der Einsatz von Chemikalien entspricht den Anforderungen von ZDHC und der Einsatz besorgniserregender Chemikalien wird nach den Anforderungen der aktuellen ZDHC MRSL reduziert (inkl. sukzessives Phase-out von PFCs).

Anteil der Produktion in Prozent, der aus ZDHC MRSL konformen Produkti[1]onsstätten stammt.

Focus topics in the Textiles Partnership

The Textiles Partnership aims to increase the impact of its activities by focusing on specific issues and by combining forces and resources in a meaningful way.