Exploring opportunities and challenges of increased circularity within the textile industry - A case study at Sätila of Sweden

Abstract

Improving circularity and closing the loops in resource use is gaining more and more attention from scholars, practitioners, policymakers and governments. Adopting circular economy practices is pointed out as a necessity in the move towards an increased sustainability throughout different industries. The textile industry is currently under pressure to change the way it uses resources. Hence, new regulations and way of practice is therefore being promoted. To reduce environmental impact, businesses in the textile industry can rethink the traditional linear business models towards circularity, e. g extended product life. Circular economy applications are accompanied by several types of challenges but also opportunities, which is what this thesis aims to explore. Examining these aspects by a conducted data collection, through literature reviews and interviews with experienced people in the business. The findings are put into the context of a small clothing manufacturer, Sätila of Sweden, examining their possible route of becoming more circular. Transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy requires efforts to decrease the use of virgin materials and slowing down the loop of resource usage. Encouraging longer uses, recycling, and reuse of already existing textile products are actions to proceed with in order to slow down the loops.