Zero Waste Europe has set criteria to go beyond circularity

Four key criteria have been established by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), a waste reduction organization, for identifying zero-waste business models in the fashion industry.

Fashion brands in Europe are being advised to consider factors other than product circularity and eco-design if they want to see the industry reach zero waste in the future.

Beyond Circular Fashion: A New Business Model for the Fashion Industry, the most recent ZWE report, maps the current state of the fast fashion industry’s business model, which it explains is based on excessive consumption, resource depletion, social exploitation, fossil-based fibers, and greenwashing.

According to the study, the worldwide value of fashion production is currently $3.3 trillion, and in 2018, it generated $2.1 billion in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or 4% of the total global emissions, while utilizing about 540 trillion liters of water and 1600 million tons of materials. In addition, one of the biggest “greenwashers” in the world is the fashion sector, which is one of the leading sources of plastic microfibers entering our oceans. Sales are increased by using numerous certification labels and unverified claims, which also has an adverse effect on the environment and society.

Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) has identified four criteria based on best practices in the European market to address these issues brought on by the current fashion model, which, when applied simultaneously, could be thought of as essential to determining what a moral business model that goes beyond circularity would look like.

Theresa Morsen, Waste Policy Officer at Zero Waste Europe, said that with this study, they are laying out guidelines for businesses to turn into truly sustainable ones, halting overproduction and consumption to respect planetary limitations. This will assist in scaling up sustainable business models, and ZWE plans to support industry leaders.

Recent Posts

HandMadeStone, CleanKore to advance denim production

HandMadeStone and CleanKore have formed a partnership to promote sustainable practices throughout denim manufacturing, from fibre production to final finishing.

2 hours ago

ICT Mumbai opens sustainable textile lab with Archroma

ICT, Mumbai, has opened its newly renovated sustainable textile laboratory, upgraded with support from Archroma India Pvt. Ltd. under its…

2 hours ago

Kiabi joins Denim Deal to boost circular denim practices in France

Denim Deal, focused on standardizing circular methods in denim production, announced that French retailer Kiabi has joined the group.

2 hours ago

UBC scientists create cleaner method to produce rayon fibers

A research team at the UBC has created a cleaner way to make rayon that could reduce chemical use and…

1 day ago

Oritain expands leather traceability for ethical sourcing

Oritain, a global expert in origin verification, has extended its scientific tracing methods to leather, a material often harder to…

1 day ago

Aunde, PreZero to build polyester recycling plant

Aunde has formed a partnership with PreZero to set up a plant that will recycle polyester-based textile waste into new,…

1 day ago