Implementing Circularity in the Supply Chain of Used Textiles
Typ
Examensarbete på kandidatnivå
Program
Publicerad
2021
Författare
Berg, Linus
Gunnarsson, Moa
Lindström, Tove
Mir Hagh Pasand, Jasmin
Qian Rudin, Anna
Sadeghi, Niki
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
A transformation to a sustainable textile industry requires circularity. The increase of textile consumption
in combination with its highly polluting production phase, places a demand for material circulation. Textile
collection, sorting and o set, in terms of the nal stage for the used textiles in the supply chain, are critical
in enabling increased reuse and recycling of used textiles. These circular practises are today yet to be
established, requiring innovative development.
The European Parliament has addressed the challenge through the Waste Framework Directive which calls
for advanced waste management in all member states. To accomplish this in the Swedish textile industry, the
government has proposed an extended producer responsibility. By 2025, textile producers will be responsible
for collection of all material put on the market. This bachelor's thesis from Chalmers University of Technology
investigates the di erent roles of the stakeholders in the supply chain of used textiles. Taking on a Supply
Chain Management perspective, this report outlines the textile handling activities of the interviewed actors
and presents them in a clarifying
ow-chart. Lastly, an analysis of the current system is performed through
that same perspective in order to shed light on the obstacles and possibilities in the shift to a circular textile
industry.
The theoretical research of the study consists of a literature review where the fundamental pillars of a
circular textile industry are investigated and studied, as well as the shortages of information and statistics
discovered. Actors from various elds in the supply chain are interviewed regarding their activities as well as
what they experience as barriers and enablers in their operations, today and in the near future. Currently,
non-governmental organisations stand for the majority of the volumes collected and with a potential producer
responsibility, it is expected that the volumes will increase. There are no constraints in regard to the amounts
that can be collected, the obstacles rather stem from the sorting and later disposal of the textiles. This being
a contributing factor to the vast numbers of volumes exported to developing countries or more e cient sorting
facilities in Europe. Actors hope for an alteration in consumers mindsets since their possible demand for used
textiles will help its end-of-life and decrease the collected volumes faster. Consumers might also a ect the
circularity by indirectly in
uencing the producers to manufacture sustainable goods that are easily recycled,
with transparent operations.
In order to enhance circularity in in Sweden, the actors involved in the textile industry, ranging from its
production phase to its post-consumer phase, must collaborate in all aspects of the supply chain through
streamlined operations. An increase in the capacity of Swedish textile circulation and thereby a transition
to a circular economy, requires innovation and widespread information together with sustainable product
design. The economic pro tability gained from the linear economy has been the reason for its breakthrough,
and so the demand for value providing incentives for stakeholders, consumers and society as a whole, is
necessary to drive the transition from a linear to a circular economy forward.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Circular textiles , Waste management , Recycling and Reuse