Assessing the Sustainable Circular Fashion Supply Chain as a Model for Achieving Economic Growth in the Global Market

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Abstract

The fashion industry faces a critical sustainability crisis, contributing up to 10% of global carbon emissions and generating 92 million tons of textile waste annually. The study highlights the complex interplay of material flows, business models, power structures, and cultural mindsets, presenting a multi-scaled framework for advancing cleaner production and circularity in one of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors. This study proposes a transformative model for circular bioeconomy in fashion, integrating systems-change theory, degrowth economics, and emotional durability. Through case studies, including Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and EU policy frameworks, the paper demonstrates how circular strategies can reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and promote ethical labor practices. Notably, brands implementing take-back programs and recycled materials have diverted over 1.5 million garments from landfills and achieved up to 70% recycled content. The study critically addresses challenges such as technological solutionism, systemic greenwashing, and waste colonialism, concluding that incremental changes are insufficient. A paradigm shift in business models, consumer culture, and policy is essential for a regenerative and just fashion future.
Original languageAmerican English
Article number8558
Number of pages17
JournalSustainability
Volume17
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 24 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 by the authors.

Article

This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Towards Smart and Sustainable Supply Chain Management.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Computer Science (miscellaneous)
  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Hardware and Architecture
  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Keywords

  • circular bioeconomy
  • sustainable fashion
  • UN SDGs
  • degrowth
  • systems change
  • greenwashing
  • waste colonialism
  • ethical design
  • slow fashion
  • emotional durability

Disciplines

  • Fashion Business
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • Sustainability

Organization custom fields

  • Author/co-author in international publications

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