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Textiles and the environment: the role of design in Europe’s circular economy

Textiles have a very negative life cycle impact on the environment. Here are some insights on how to shift to circular business models.

Details

Publication date
19 August 2022
Author
European Environment Agency
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Description

From the perspective of European consumption, textiles have on average the fourth highest negative life cycle impact on the environment and climate change, after food, housing and mobility. A shift to a circular textile production and consumption system with longer use, and more reuse and recycling could reduce those impacts along with reductions in overall consumption. One important measure is circular design of textiles to improve product durability, repairability and recyclability and to ensure the uptake of secondary raw materials in new products. 

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Textiles and the environment: the role of design in Europe’s circular economy

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6 NOVEMBER 2023
Textiles and the environment: the role of design in Europe’s circular economy