A major European research initiative has revealed alarming statistics about textile waste, with the global industry itself operating at just 0.3% circularity. The Solstice project's comprehensive study across four key European territories has exposed critical gaps in sustainable textile practices, highlighting urgent need for territorial approaches to address mounting environmental and social impacts.
- Solstice partners conducted comprehensive current-state analysis of textile ecosystems across Berlin, Grenoble, Prato, and Catalonia territories.
- They examined spatial planning, employment, material flows, and local infrastructure to map enabling conditions for circularity.
- The project focused on R-strategies including Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, and Recycle to address industry challenges.
- The partners included Circle Economy, Circular Berlin, Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, Comune di Prato, and Generalitat de Catalunya.
TEXTILE ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS: The geographic accessibility analysis revealed stark disparities in circular textile service provision across European territories. Central urban areas consistently outperformed peripheral regions, with residents accessing services within 7–15 minutes walking distance. Transportation methods critically determined access equality, whilst population density drove service distribution patterns.
- Berlin residents in central areas could walk to circular textile services in approximately 7 minutes on average.
- Catalonia's coastal areas around Barcelona offered hundreds of service points within 10-minute driving distance from residents.
- Prato's three central neighbourhoods concentrated most recycling, repairing, and second-hand shops with minimal car travel differences.
- Population density, rather than income levels, determined service coverage patterns across all four studied territories.
- Higher Points of Interest density reduced travel times but created crowded 'hot spots' in service provision.
MATERIAL FLOW ANALYSIS: Material flow patterns exposed fundamental differences between importing and producing territories across Europe. Berlin and Grenoble operated as import-dependent regions with minimal manufacturing, collecting under 22kg post-consumer textiles per capita. Prato functioned as production hub whilst Catalonia processed large volumes with significant waste challenges.
- Berlin produced 5.8 kilotonnes of textile output whilst Grenoble manufactured only 0.2 kilotonnes annually from manufacturing sectors.
- Prato produced 25 kilotonnes of fibres and 113 kilotonnes of finished goods, exporting 66% of production volumes.
- Catalonia collected 154.9 kilotonnes but sent over 90% of mixed-waste textiles to landfill or incineration facilities.
- Only 21% of Catalonia's sorted textiles underwent local reuse, indicating significant circular economy development potential.
- Repair and local reuse percentages hovered in low single digits across all four regions studied.
EMPLOYMENT BASELINE: The employment analysis revealed distinct territorial specialisations within European textile value chains. Catalonia led with 90,800 workers whilst Prato demonstrated remarkable density with 25% of population employed in textiles. Regional variations reflected economic structures from service-oriented to manufacturing-focused economies.
- Catalonia employed 90,800 people across textile value chain, followed by Prato's 46,400 and Berlin's 20,900 workers.
- Berlin and Grenoble concentrated employment in retail, distribution, and repair reflecting service-oriented economic structures predominantly.
- Prato maintained strong manufacturing base with majority of textile workforce involved in fibre and production activities.
- Catalonia showed balanced employment profile across manufacturing, retail, and end-of-life activities including reuse and recycling.
- Repair and circular economy roles remained limited across all regions, representing small share of employment.
CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR: Consumer research identified price as the dominant purchasing factor across all territories, overriding sustainability concerns. Demographic differences emerged with younger consumers more influenced by social media pressures.
- Second-hand shopping stigma existed strongly in Prato and Catalonia, affecting consumer willingness to purchase used items.
- Young consumers in Berlin, Prato, and Catalonia showed greater susceptibility to social media and peer pressure influences.
- Older consumers prioritised quality, comfort, and trusted brands over trending fashion items and social influences.
- Awareness remained limited for circular options beyond donation and second-hand shopping, including renting and swapping services.
