The Renewal Workshop Releases ‘Leading Circular’ Report

Last week, The Renewal Workshop released Leading Circular, a multifaceted report combining original research and practices drawn from four years of working with more than 20 brands and completing assessments for more than 50 companies in the apparel and textile industry.

“The apparel industry is built on a linear business model that causes massive environmental damage, significantly contributing to the Climate Crisis,” said the group. “Transitioning to a circular business model is how the industry begins to reverse this damage.”

There is no single roadmap for transitioning a business model from linear to circular. However, there are tested pathways that brands can select to bring circular practices inside their companies. Highlighted pathways in the report include programs from PVH, Cos, VF Corporation, The North Face and Coyuchi.

“This report is the culmination of four years of operations, pilots, data gathering, research and surveys all with the goal to serve the industry in the transition to circular,” says Co-Founder Nicole Bassett. “We are motivated to share this information with the industry to accelerate change.”

Report highlights:

  • Apparel and Textile “waste” is a new supply chain for brands.
    RW has identified that 82% of what is considered waste can be renewed and resold.
  • Only 26% of products have viable recycling options available to them.
    Investments in circular design as well as resale are essential.
  • Customers know that our industry is a contributor to environmental damage.
    84% of survey respondents felt that the apparel industry has a lot or a great deal of impact on climate change.
  • Circular is a systemic change that can drive meaningful impact.
    The report demonstrates the positive environmental impact of circular using a metrics-based approach.

 

SOURCE The Renewal Workshop