Since the turn of the millennium, global textile production has more than doubled as part of an endless drive to produce more, faster and cheaper. The term „fast fashion” is perhaps more than any other synonymous with the dark side of globalisation and excessive, environmentally damaging consumption. Calls for a fundamental transformation of the industry are becoming louder and louder, with fashion companies increasingly obliged to minimise environmental and social impacts in their supply chains. Currently, the focus of these efforts is on packaging.

Anyone looking for an example of how big fashion brands can implement sustainability and a circular economy should look to Marc Cain. Experts from Interzero analysed the entire packaging portfolio of this international fashion house and helped the company optimise its recycling options. The result? From plastic clothes hangers to shoe boxes, all of Marc Cain's packaging is at least „good recyclability” and has been certified as „Created for recycling by Interzero”, making it suitable for the market of the future.

Other manufacturers should follow this example and make their packaging more sustainable. The pressure to take action is increasing, especially in light of the planned Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Companies will soon be subject to a number of new requirements under this EU regulation, including several on packaging recycling. The EU's ambitious targets for waste reduction and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) apply to all companies placing packaging on the European market.

The next step: scaling up textile recycling. Of course, optimising packaging for sustainability is not enough. In fact, the entire value chain of the textile industry is under the magnifying glass. The ever-increasing volume of textile waste poses a huge challenge, given that almost six million tonnes of textiles are discarded annually in the EU - that's about 11.3 kilograms per person. Currently, only one per cent of global textile waste goes back into production through fibre-to-fibre recycling, giving the circular economy a major opportunity to make a difference.

EU regulations and directives, such as the separate collection requirements to be introduced in 2025, the Ecodesign Directive and Extended Producer Responsibility, are likely to drive textile recycling forward in the near future. Interzero also aims to close the raw material loop in the textile industry and is already developing solutions to help companies prepare for future Extended Producer Responsibility (ROP) requirements. Together with its partners, the company is working to enable the scaling of fibre-to-fibre recycling by building and providing the appropriate collection and sorting infrastructure. The aim is to provide a comprehensive industry solution that works for everyone. „Above all, the transformation in the textile industry requires new system concepts and a willingness to cooperate on the part of key players along the entire textile value chain,” said Julia Haas, project manager for closed-loop textiles at Interzero. Cheap, disposable fashion is a thing of the past - but circularity is a trend that will stay with us for a long time!