High water consumption and the use of large quantities of chemicals during the processing of raw materials make the textile industry a major polluter. Many clothing items never get sold and used clothes are being reused very little.
Both the government and the textile sector are increasingly becoming aware of this problem. Several companies have started initiatives on circular economy and that deserves logistic support and stimulation.
Opportunities
VIL wants to examine new economic business models that can be developed for the companies involved within the textile sector in general and for the related logistics service providers. The business models will be based on added-value logistics, starting with collecting end-of-life clothing more effectively. A successful circular economy can hold commercial advantages for both textile producers and retailers. Clothes that would have been lost, obtain new commercial value through reuse or recycling.
The circular economy and better reuse of materials also have a considerable impact on society: it implies consciously dealing with scarce resources and reducing harmful emissions caused by the combustion of end-of-life clothing.
