Driving a circular economy in the textile manufacturing sector

Case Study Overview

We recently hosted a webinar for Advanced Manufacturing Gateway Schools which focused on the circular economy in the textile manufacturing sector. The discussion was led by Meriel Chamberlin, CEO of Full Circle Fibres, and expert in sustainable textiles and designing with the end in mind. Meriel shared with participants insights on circular economy principles, sustainable practices, and innovative strategies to incorporate in the classroom. The webinar successfully engaged educators and provided valuable knowledge for integrating these concepts into their teaching. 

The circular economy in the textile manufacturing sector is aimed at creating a sustainable and regenerative system that minimises waste and maximises resource efficiency. Unlike the fast-easy churning practice of ‘fast fashion’, which follows a 'take-make-dispose' model, the circular economy concept emphasises the continual use of resources through principles such as recycling, reusing, and remanufacturing.  

This approach seeks to close the loop in product lifecycles by designing textiles that can be easily repurposed or returned to the production cycle, thereby reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. Creating a circular economy in textiles not only addresses critical issues such as resource depletion and pollution but also fosters transparency throughout the life cycle of production.  

“This webinar was incredibly insightful. As educators, we rarely have the opportunity to learn from industry experts, so spending an hour with Meriel was a chance we gladly participated in. Listening to Meriel helped clarify aspects of the Technology Curriculum, in particular a view of sustainability we hadn’t really considered before. The Gateway to Industry Schools Program is opening doors for us that until now were out of our reach.” 

- Nick McMorrow, Deputy Principal at Urangam SHS

Meriel Chamberlin, Textile Scientist
Image Credit: Full Circle Fibre

The industry problem

The fashion industry is the third-largest polluting industry globally, contributing significantly to environmental degradation. Each year, 100 million tons of textiles are either dumped or burned, with a mere 1% of these being recycled back into new textiles. 

The issues arise from both producers and consumers, driven by factors such as fast fashion and overproduction, promotional fashion items (like event/promotional shirts), and the extensive use of synthetic materials. Additionally, industry is a major source of carbon emissions and generates substantial waste throughout the production and supply chain. 

Throughout the webinar with Advanced Manufacturing Gateway Schools, Meriel Chamberlin discussed the need for education on circular economy in the textile manufacturing sector. She highlighted that this is crucial for fostering a sustainable future.  

By integrating circular economy principles into educational curricula, she explained, we can question current practices and inspire the next generation of industry leaders, designers, and consumers to make better decisions. Sharing the intimidating figures of our current climate and education on both the skills needed to implement sustainable practices in the industry for global gain but also easily adaptable changes we can all implement to accumulate big change.

The environmental impacts of textile production and consumption are staggering. By starting the conversation, we encourage innovative thinking and problem-solving to develop eco-friendly solutions, ultimately contributing to the reduction of waste and conservation of resources. Education supports the transition to a more sustainable economy by preparing a workforce adept at implementing and advancing circular practices, assisting to drive systemic change across the industry.

Initiatives that are driving change

  1. Soil your undies: Created as an experiment to test how healthy soil is, can be used to look at different fabrics and how they degrade/don’t degrade depending on composition (100% cotton vs other non-natural fabrics/blends) 

    https://www.cottoninfo.com.au/soilyourundies  

  2. Design Projects: Assign students a project to investigate the concept of “design with the end in mind” by designing their own sustainable textile products using principles of the circular economy, such as designing for longevity, recyclability, and minimal waste. Students can present their projects and discuss the sustainability features they incorporated.

  3. Re-purpose Textiles Workshop: Organise workshops where students bring old textiles and learn how to upcycle, deconstruct, repair, re-purpose to gain knowledge of how clothing is made, how different fabrics behave (stretch, etc.) This hands-on activity demonstrates the value of recycling and creativity in reducing waste. 

  4. Play with dyes: Use different dyes to “fix” old clothing (t-shirts, etc.) to make new again. See how different fabrics behave differently with dyes – why do they behave that way?

Career Pathways 

There is significant potential in the textile manufacturing industry in Australia. Meriel Chamberlin advises students interested in textiles and fashion to pursue the most advanced math and science courses available. This field requires not only precise mathematical skills for measurements and production but also a deep technical understanding of chemistry to comprehend the materials and processes involved in textile manufacturing.

Images credit: Full Circle Fibres

Additional Resources for Schools and Student

For further reading on the challenges facing this industry and how we can help tackle the ever-growing consumable waste: Textile waste in the concept of circularity 

 

School Initiatives, Case Studies