Environmental protection
The negative effects of the textile sector on the environment and climate are far-reaching. Especially the high consumption of resources and land as well as the high environmentally harmful greenhouse gas emissions characterise the textile industry. On top of this, there are damaging inputs of chemicals into the soil, water and harmful air emissions. This goes hand in hand with severe health problems for workers and local residents.
The topic of the circular economy is therefore becoming increasingly relevant. A functioning, pollutant-free and resource-efficient circular economy in the textile sector can be achieved if the value of textiles is retained as long as possible. That means textile waste is integrated into the cycle as valuable secondary raw materials and can be reused for further processes.
The Partnership for Sustainable Textiles is orientated towards the core objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU Commission’s current textile strategy. To achieve these goals, it is essential that members are prepared at an early stage to actively help shape future requirements and reorganise their supply chains in a transparent and sustainable manner.
The member companies are therefore required to deal intensively with environmental protection in their internal processes. This involves implementing a circular design for manufactured products that includes durability, reparability, disposal and recyclability of fibres. In addition, the use of secondary raw materials, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the strengthening of biodiversity and the traceability of harmful chemicals are of crucial importance.
Our projects on this focus topic
Reference framework
The Textiles Partnership and its members strive for a significant improvement in environmental protection. This includes:
- more sustainable production and sustainable use of textile products
- the recycling and reuse of textile products
- the establishment of a climate-neutral circular economy in the textile sector
- the reduction of harmful chemicals and thus the protection of soil, water and air as well as the health of workers and local residents at production sites
The Partnership and its members are guided by the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and the goals and recommendations of the UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.
The EU textile strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and optimise the use of resources. This is to be achieved by selecting sustainable fibres and materials according to the principles of sustainable design, which promote durability, reparability and recyclability. Furthermore, the aim is to achieve a higher recycling rate and support the exclusion of substances of concern.
This also addresses key OECD sector risks such as water consumption and water pollution, chemical use and greenhouse gas emissions. The requirements derived for the Partnership are based on the EU Textile Strategy and the recommendations of the Fashion Charter and are harmonised with the requirements of the ZDHC MRSL for the responsible use of chemicals and the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines.
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.
