Updates

The US’ measurement institute could have made textile sorting a tad easier with the development of a database that contains the molecular “fingerprints” of 64 different fabric types.

The RegioGreenTex initiative has published a paper outlining the development of a framework for classifying textiles for recycling, which is central to establishing efficient and regionally adaptable waste channelling models.

An OECD study on ‘Extended producer responsibility in the garments sector’ contends that EPR is a promising approach for addressing environmental impacts of garments. Its focus on producers and post-consumer products lends it well to addressing impacts at the end-of life and production stages. However, complementary policies can amplify its effect.

A new study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that probed the level of PFAS in protective clothing worn by firefighters and how wear and tear can increase the amount of measurable PFAS in these garments revealed quantifiable amounts in 25 of the 32 textile samples tested.

A truly global phenomenon, the transformative power of artificial intelligence or AI can reach its full potential only when paired with human expertise and ingenuity. A KPMG study on the apparel and footwear industry finds that although it is being deployed, the journey still has miles to go.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a report describing how and why the rate of textile waste in the country has changed in the last two decades, and suggested federal actions to reduce textile waste and advance textile recycling.

The Sustainable Fibre Alliance has published its new SFA Animal Fibre Standard v1.0 with an effective date for all producers trading ‘SFA-Certified’ cashmere fibre from 1 April 2025. It safeguards the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment through five global principles for responsible fibre production.

An investigation by Stand.earth Research Group (SRG) says that more than 100 fashion giants currently source many of their fabrics from fracked oil and gas in the Permian Basin in Texas. And, of the 107 petrochemical-linked brands only one has committed to phase out virgin polyester altogether, and none have explicit, time-bound targets to increase the use of recycled textile waste.

A UNEP-led integrated programme (IP) has been launched to promote sustainable supply chains in the fashion industry in a bid to address the impact of the sector on biodiversity loss, chemicals and waste, climate change, international waters, and land degradation.

A new study finds that while many consumers have concerns about the immorality and unethicality of counterfeits, they still purchase them knowing it is wrong. But, understanding how people's self-assessed knowledge of luxury goods affects their moral stance toward counterfeits can help shape strategies to combat the scourge.