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Large Fashion Brands Launch Textile Waste Collection Initiative
Induja from Trace
October 24, 2024
Happy Thursday!
We’re excited to kick off our newsletter this week with a discussion on what’s going on in the industry. In conversation this week we’ll dive into some of the changes larger companies are making to comply with EU regulations regarding textile waste.
We’ll also revisit a relevant topic regarding the sustainability of popular fabrics and close out with a brand spotlight and innovations in fashion highlight.
Thanks for reading!
Headlines
Fashion giants Zara, H&M, Ikea, Primark, and others have launched "Re-viste," a textile waste collection initiative in Spain. The pilot program, starting in April 2025, aims to set up containers in churches, stores, and public spaces for the collection and recycling of discarded clothes and shoes.
Currently in Spain, 88% of used textiles end up in landfills. It is estimated that residents in Spain on average generate approximately 3x as much textile waste as an average person in Europe. This program, funded by these large companies, seeks to reduce landfills while these large firms prepare for stricter EU regulations that will require companies to separate textile waste from other waste.
Analysis of the Week
One of the factors that goes into the sustainability of clothing is the fabric used. Let’s take a look at some of the less sustainable fabrics to avoid, and consider some more sustainable alternatives.
Fabric | Why it’s not sustainable | Alternative Considerations |
|---|---|---|
Polyester | Most polyester is not biodegradable and will pile up in landfills. Polyester is also produced in an unsustainable manner, derived partially from oil and requires large amounts of water to produce. Polyester also releases microplastics through heavy washing. | Recycled polyester (rPET) - This is made from plastic bottles and uses less water than regular polyester. However, rPET still releases microplastics during washing, so this is not the most highly recommended fabric. |
Nylon | Nylon is a synthetic fabric used in tights and stockings, as well as swim-wear and active wear. Nylon is not biodegradable, uses petroleum and heavy amounts of water during production, and releases microplastics through washing. | Econyl is a nylon alternative fabric made from synthetic waste such as plastic, waste fabric and fishing nets. Econyl is produced in a closed loop system which uses less water and creates less waste. The downside with Econyl is that it also releases small amounts of microplastics. |
Rayon | Although Rayon is a plant based fabric and more sustainable than nylon or polyester, it is often a culprit of greenwashing. Rayon is derived from wood pulp of eucalyptus, spruce and pine trees. Often times, the wood pulp is not harvested sustainably, and heavy chemicals that are dangerous for workers are used during the production process. Rayon is also a major contributor of deforestation. | TENCEL Lyocell fabric is made from wood pulp, similar to rayon. TENCEL requires less water in production than traditional fibers, including regular cotton, is a less chemically intensive process than Rayon, and intentionally uses responsibly-sourced wood. |
Traditional Cotton | Cotton is a commonly used fabric with shockingly devastating consequences. Cotton requires heavy water usage and the production process often pollutes waterways with chemicals and dyes. Conventional cotton is also grown with a significant amount of pesticides. | Organic and/or Recycled Cotton is always a better alternative to traditionally produced cotton. While recycled cotton is the most preferable alternative, produced from consumer waste and less water & energy needed for production, organic cotton is also a decent substitute to traditional cotton as it doesn’t use pesticides and harmful chemicals in its’ production process. |
Brand Spotlight
Learn about one of the sustainable brands on Trace’s marketplace!
Check out today’s featured brand: The Poorwill Way
Jess Murray started Poorwill based on a belief that businesses can and should be a force for positive change in the world. She strives to set an example by creating social, environmental and economic value.
Poorwill values transparency and crafting quality goods that last. Poorwill offers a variety of handmade goods such as hats, bracelets, wallets, and bags. In addition to using high quality materials, Poorwill also offers customers a trade-in program with gently used Poorwill products, so consumers can update their style while previously loved goods can be refurbished or reused to limit the waste generated from these products.
All goods are slow-made and crafted by the brand creator, Jess, using high quality materials.
Innovation in Fashion
Wallien - sustainable wetsuit brand for women that uses biodegradable and recyclable materials to make their products and additionally partners with the Blue Marine Foundation for ocean conservation
Network360 - provides services to global fashion brands such as, logistics, quality control, and data-driven market strategies to manage and redirect their excess inventory in a sustainable way
Bolt Threads- is a materials solutions company. They invent cutting-edge materials for the fashion and beauty industries to put us on a path toward a more sustainable future
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