Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-24-2025
Abstract
The fashion industry faces a critical sustainability crisis, contributing up to 10% of global carbon emissions and generating 92 million tons of textile waste annually. The study highlights the complex interplay of material flows, business models, power structures, and cultural mindsets, presenting a multi-scaled framework for advancing cleaner production and circularity in one of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors. This study proposes a transformative model for circular bioeconomy in fashion, integrating systems-change theory, degrowth economics, and emotional durability. Through case studies, including Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and EU policy frameworks, the paper demonstrates how circular strategies can reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and promote ethical labor practices. Notably, brands implementing take-back programs and recycled materials have diverted over 1.5 million garments from landfills and achieved up to 70% recycled content. The study critically addresses challenges such as technological solutionism, systemic greenwashing, and waste colonialism, concluding that incremental changes are insufficient. A paradigm shift in business models, consumer culture, and policy is essential for a regenerative and just fashion future.
Publication
Sustainability
Publisher
MDPI
Volume
17
Issue
19
Pages
8558
Department
College of Business and Management
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Peer Reviewed
1
Publication History
Submission received: 22 August 2025 / Revised: 16 September 2025 / Accepted: 18 September 2025 / Published: 24 September 2025
Recommended Citation
Burnstine, A. P., & Ghattas, R. G. (2025). Assessing the sustainable circular fashion supply chain as a model for achieving economic growth in the global market. Sustainability, 17(19), 8558. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198558
Included in
Fashion Business Commons, Operations and Supply Chain Management Commons, Sustainability Commons
Comments
This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Towards Smart and Sustainable Supply Chain Management