"EURATEX (European Apparel and Textile Confederation), Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), International Apparel Federation (IAF) and Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) have collaborated to release a new policy for circular economy in textiles. The manifesto urges policymakers to think beyond existing policy tools rooted in a linear economy to resolve the most significant circularity issues for the fashion and textile industries."

EURATEX (European Apparel and Textile Confederation), Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), International Apparel Federation (IAF) and Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) have collaborated to release a new policy for circular economy in textiles. The manifesto urges policymakers to think beyond existing policy tools rooted in a linear economy to resolve the most significant circularity issues for the fashion and textile industries.

Developing a European vision for textiles

The manifesto aims to accelerate the collaboration of fashion and textiles industries with policymakers. It tackles circularity in three ways. First, it emphasises on circularity of business models. Second, it recommends a new approach by adopting technological innovations such as separating fibres for reuse and upcycling. Third, the manifesto demands more groundbreaking policies customised to the needs of a diverse range of businesses.

The organisationsresponsible for launching this manifesto are committed to developing a European vision for textiles in a circular economy. They will expand on the points outlined in the manifesto over coming months. This initiative will be led by the Central EU institutions. For the first time so many influential organisations in the fashion industry have come together to work with policymakers on a unified approach to circularity. This is the right time to act on this issue as the consumption is only going to grow, and if we do not act now to find a solution to the take-make-dispose model, the strain on our planet will get much worse.

A global approach to tackle issues

Though circularity has become a key issue in all aspects of daily life, the current policies do not sufficiently support a scaled circular economy system. To drive change, it is essential for all policy makers to come together to implement this law. The International Apparel Federation (IAF) also recognises the importance of a global approach to circularity. It recommends a new consortium to connect the European countries with the rest of the world.Through this European collaboration industry leaders can support laws that promote lasting improvements on a global scale. To improve the industry's performance, brands, retailers and manufacturers need to find a common ground on which they can build a sustainable future for them.