Textile sustainability:
A balance between environment, economy and society
A balance between environment, economy and society
Today, sustainability is often discussed, but too frequently in a superficial way. In reality, sustainability is a concrete commitment that concerns every stage of product design, production, and use. Every choice — from the materials employed to end-of-life management — should have a clear goal: reducing environmental impact and helping build a better future for everyone.
In 2020 alone, the European Union generated almost 7 million tonnes of textile waste, around 16 kg per person. Of this, over 80% came from consumers, and only a very small share was collected separately. The rest ended up in mixed household waste. This data confirms the urgency of rethinking the entire life cycle of textile products within a perspective of sustainable development.
(Source: EEA – European Environment Agency)
The three pillars of sustainability
Environmental sustainability
Using natural resources responsibly to preserve ecosystems, reduce pollution and combat climate change. The idea is straightforward: consume fewer resources and pollute less, without compromising on quality.
Economic sustainability
Promoting a long-lasting, efficient and resilient economy that does not damage the environment and ensures prosperity over time, by adopting production processes that cut waste, optimise resources and improve overall system efficiency.
Social sustainability
Sustainability also means thinking about people — a model that respects human rights and guarantees equity, access to education and healthcare, and decent living conditions for everyone. These aspects form a key part of real sustainability, extending beyond environmental issues alone.
Circular economy: beyond simple recycling
From the 3R model to the 9R framework
The circular economy model is based on maximising resource efficiency and minimising waste, creating closed loops for materials and products. This approach helps protect the environment and also offers social and economic benefits.
In the textile sector, the circular economy aims to extend the life cycle of materials, preserve and renew their value throughout use, and prevent them from becoming waste. It is a concrete response to the need to make production practices more sustainable.
The model has evolved from the traditional “3Rs” (reduce, reuse, recycle) to a more structured system of nine actions:
Refuse
Rethink
Reduce
Reuse
Repair
Renew
Regenerate
Recover
Recycle
This framework enables more comprehensive resource management and serves as a reference for companies, designers and researchers engaged in a sustainable transition — including those exploring textile circular systems.
(Source: ScienceDirect – The 9R Framework)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): measuring real impact
Assessing environmental impact from start to finish
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology used to estimate the overall environmental impact of a product, process, or service, considering all its stages: from production to end-of-life.
The method was developed in the United States between the 1960s and 1970s. One of the first examples was a Coca-Cola study comparing glass bottles with alternative containers from a sustainability perspective.
According to ISO 14040, an LCA includes:
- Definition of the goal and scope;
- Inventory analysis (LCI) – data collection on material and energy flows;
- Impact assessment (LCIA) – quantification of environmental impacts;
- Interpretation of results – analysing the data and deriving insights for decision-making.
Definition of the goal and scope
Inventory analysis (LCI) – data collection on material and energy flows
Impact assessment (LCIA) – quantification of environmental impacts
Interpretation of results – analysing the data and deriving insights for decision-making
LCA requires clarity in the data used, consistency in method, and transparency in assumptions. A peer-review process is also foreseen, especially in public comparative studies.