World Circular Textiles Day Aims for Fully Closed Loop by 2050
Companies across the apparel industry are making a push toward circularity as a means to lower the environmental impact of garments. And to further individual firms’ efforts, collective initiatives are forming to quicken and advance progress.
On Oct. 8, individuals from around the globe will come together to celebrate World Circular Textiles Day. The annual event, envisioned and powered by Worn Again in collaboration Circle Economy and UAL, began in 2020 to celebrate the efforts being made in circularity.
The second yearly live-streamed event, happening Oct. 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. BST, will act as an opportunity to reflect and learn about the advances and progress in circularity and the challenges that remain ahead. For a chance to be featured during the live stream, companies can submit written responses or a video reflection on their sustainable accomplishments and what they see as their upcoming hurdles.
Since July, a team of 40 researchers and students across 26 countries have been mapping out circular activities to compile a digital library for World Circular Textiles Day. Companies can share their case studies—including reports, policies and businesses cases—to contribute to the bigger picture of circular action. You can also post about your #CircularAction on social media to get involved.
Signatories of World Circular Textiles Day have agreed to work toward 100 percent circularity by 2050. The vision is that in three decades, there will be no need for any virgin inputs since materials are kept in constant circulation. Until 2025, action is centered on research and development, with rollout planned for 2025-2040.
Lenzing is a proud supporter of the initiative, alongside fellow signatories including Eileen Fisher, Gap Inc., H&M, Kering, Primark, Reformation, Arvind, Canopy, Accelerating Circularity, Evrnu, Global Fashion Agenda and many more.
At Lenzing, we were an early mover in circularity. For four years, we’ve been making circular TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ technology fibers that use cotton textile waste as a portion of inputs for lyocell. Not only does this provide a second life to pre- and post-consumer fabric, but it also reduces the amount of wood pulp needed to create the cellulosic material. Since the fiber production process remains largely the same, the quality of REFIBRA™ is on par with virgin lyocell.
Since launching REFIBRA™ commercially in 2017, we have expanded the percent of recycled inputs used from 20 to 30 percent. Brands including Calvin Klein, Boyish Jeans, Mara Hoffman, Marques’Almeida and more have used REFIBRA™ for everything from denim to dresses.
Click here for more information and to register for World Circular Textiles Day.