Dorothy Pun

A new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) titled "Spinning Textile Waste into Value" concludes that …"the right pieces in place for a large-scale #circular textile economy, we believe the industry could see waste recycling rates surpass 30%, generating new fibers with a raw material value worth more than $50 billion and creating approximately 180,000 new jobs." The report also applauds “major global brands, including adidas, New Balance, and PUMA Group, are beginning to invest in textile-to-textile recycling initiatives. These companies are proactively future-proofing operations, achieving sustainability goals, and ensuring access to emerging next-generation raw materials." This report mirrors others from McKinsey & Company and other consultants to the industry. And yet, while I am sure that its analytics are spot on….it’s forecast for possibility is akin to fiction. Why? 👚 As the report notes, the math does not add up. Brands will continue to default to virgin fabrics as long as recycled fabrics are far more costly. The report notes that recycled polyester can be 2X virgin. Until that shifts, the industry won’t budge. 🏭 The report does not specify the trillions of dollars in CAPX that will be needed to make the transition. 👕 The report says that "Industry players must boost demand for recycled fibers, streamline textile waste collection, upgrade sorting infrastructure, expand proven recycling methods, and invest in cutting-edge recycling technologies.” Why "must" they? Incumbents like the current linear system. Until the rules change…e.g. compel brands to use minimum % of recycled content + pay for the real costs of EPR and infrastructure….it is not clear to me that the promises of what might be are productive. Lutz Walter Samantha Taylor Neeraj Narayan Patrik Frisk Donatela Bellone Sydney Badger Brittany Sierra Zofia Zwieglinska Jasmin Malik Chua Devon Rufo Brooke Roberts-Islam Eric Liedtke Katy O'Brien Global Fashion Agenda Shivam Gusain Veronica Bates Kassatly Oliver Scutt Priyanka Khanna Rachel Arthur Zofia Zwieglinska Alissa Baier-Lentz

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Reducing audit fatigue through collaboration and data convergence Audit fatigue remains a significant challenge in the garment and footwear sector, with overlapping assessments placing pressure on factories while often failing to capture the full scope of human rights risks. In 2024, we formalised our collaboration to address this issue. By combining the Social & Labor Convergence Program’s frameworks, integrating SLCP data into our HRDD Hub, and encouraged wider industry use of existing data to support responsible decision making. The data integration is now live and available for member brands to use. For brands, this now means: -Continue scaling the use of SLCP aggregate data across Fair Wear’s HRDD Hub country profiles. -Continue encouraging brands to prevent duplication and address audit fatigue. -Build on shared efforts to advance impactful HRDD implementation throughout the sector. This collaboration represents a step towards moving beyond compliance and using data to drive real improvements in supply chain working conditions. To read more, you can read the guest blog by our executive director, Annabel Meurs on SLCP's website: https://lnkd.in/eDvpTv8C

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NATURAL FIBRES INSIGHT, AUTUMN 2025 IS LIVE: Delighted to share that the new issue of Natural Fibres Insight is out now, hosted on www.apparelinsider.com This edition is packed with rigorous, timely reporting for sustainability teams, buyers and policy experts across fashion. Our cover story looks at new science on wool’s biogenic carbon loop, explaining how soils affect climate impact. We go farm to fabric with South African mohair, exploring stewardship, traceability and a sharpened global positioning for this heritage fibre. On cotton, we look at a systematic review of LCAs that exposes how methods, regions and functional units can impact results, and what that means for sustainability claims. We also look at evidence that regenerative agriculture can support farmer wellbeing, if we get the support structures right. Plus: the launch of GRTS from Global Standard (building on GOTS), advances in poly-cotton separation from RE&UP, fresh natural fibre stats, policy shifts and more. Have a read, share with your teams, and tell us what you want to see next. #NaturalFibres #Wool #Cotton #Mohair #Textiles #ApparelInsider

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Ever wondered why new knitwear feels stiff at first? It’s called jamming — and scientists have found how to fix it. By adjusting stitch length, tension, and density in jersey fabric, they found ways to keep knits comfy and flexible. Read more in Physical Review E: https://go.aps.org/4ojzotk

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