Dec 4, 2024, 2:00 AM
Dec 4, 2024, 2:00 AM

H&M Foundation funds groundbreaking report on textile industry circularity

Highlights
  • The H&M Foundation funded a groundbreaking report that analyzes circularity in the textile industry.
  • The report highlights that only 0.3% of materials used come from recycled sources and urges immediate action for sustainability.
  • This report aims to transform the industry through actionable insights and promote meaningful change for people and the planet.
Story

On December 4, 2024, in Stockholm, a significant report titled the Circularity Gap Report Textiles was released, authored by Circle Economy and funded by the H&M Foundation. This report marked the first comprehensive analysis of circularity within the textile sector, revealing troubling statistics about the industry's environmental impact. It reported that a mere 0.3% of the 3.25 billion tonnes of materials used annually in the textile sector originates from recycled sources. Additionally, fossil-fuel-based synthetic fibers dominate the industry's raw material use, accounting for around 70%. The report emphasized the urgent need for an industry-wide transformation towards sustainability through circular economy principles such as reuse, recycling, and slow fashion. The report presented four crucial recommendations aimed at fostering a sustainable and circular model in the textile industry. These recommendations stress the importance of reducing production volumes to combat overproduction and reshape the production cycle to consume fewer resources. Furthermore, prioritizing broader environmental impacts, particularly relating to water ecosystems, is vital alongside carbon reduction efforts. The report also calls for ensuring a socially just transition by focusing on decent work, fair wages, and improved working conditions for those in the industry. Finally, it highlights the essential need for coordinated action across various sectors including science, technology, policy, and finance to build a circular textile economy. Christiane Dolva, Head of Innovation at the H&M Foundation, stated that the report aims to provide the textile industry with actionable insights and emphasized that while circularity is not a complete solution, it can drive meaningful change. Hilde van Duijn, Managing Director of Circle Economy Foundation, noted that the report illustrates the urgent need for scalable solutions to transform the entire textile value chain towards circularity. These findings will inform the H&M Foundation’s future efforts to decarbonize the industry in a fair manner, ensuring that philanthropic support yields the greatest impact. The presentation of these findings aligns with the H&M Foundation's ongoing initiatives, such as the Global Change Award, which accelerates innovation respecting both people and the planet, and Saamuhika Shakti, which promotes inclusive circularity alongside waste pickers. Moving forward, these insights are intended to guide not only the H&M Foundation's future commitments but also inspire broader industry changes towards sustainable practices.

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