To pave the way for business models that fully comply with the circular economy and planetary boundaries, four essential criteria that must be simultaneously met have been identified. The criteria are design for physical and emotional durability; demand-driven production to phase out unsolds and discounts; full supply chain transparency and traceability post-sale; and extending the use-phase after first ownership, according to Beyond Circular Fashion, the latest ZWE report.

Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), which is a European network of communities, local leaders, experts, and change agents working towards the elimination of waste in society, has set four essential criteria for mapping zero waste fashion business models, urging decisionmakers and the fashion industry to look beyond product circularity and eco-design.

Published in the context of the European Union (EU) Textiles Strategy, the report maps the state-of-play of today’s fast fashion business model, which is based on overconsumption, resource depletion, social exploitation, fossil-based fibres, and greenwashing.

“With this report we are establishing guidance for businesses to become truly sustainable, ending overproduction and consumption to respect planetary boundaries. This will help scaling up sustainable business models and ZWE intends to empower pioneers in this field,” stated Theresa Morsen, waste policy officer at ZWE.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)