World of Waste—a centralised global tool—has been launched for textile waste. Free and online, it maps global textile waste hotspots providing aggregated regional data on waste volume, composition, and type, enabling recyclers and innovators to efficiently identify and utilise the waste resources worldwide.
- With information on waste attributes, data collection methodologies, organisations involved, and a lens on upcoming studies for a region, this collaborative tool by Fashion for Good empowers users of textile waste, as well as stakeholders looking to further the industry’s knowledge base.
- It provides an overview of data points on waste quantities, types, compositions, and other insights, as well as links to the original studies.
- With a lens on global hotspots of textile waste, as well as links to established resources for each region, strategies aimed at valorising waste become more attainable. For instance, recyclers can strategise their feedstock sourcing by gaining insights into waste streams and their specific characteristics.
- Governments can utilise this data to develop informed policies and regulations that encourage sustainable waste management practices.
THE PARTNERS: Fashion for Good launched the tool with catalytic funding from Laudes Foundation and IDH, and in partnership with Reverse Resources, Global Fashion Agenda, Circle Economy and Accelerating Circularity.
- The partners collectively address many facets of textile waste and leverage each other's diverse skillsets and wealth of information to create the tool consolidating the outcomes of individual research.
THE CONTEXT: The textile industry faces increased scrutiny on its substantial amounts of waste generated each year.
- Information on textile waste is currently fragmented with data scattered across a multitude of organisations and platforms. This lack of centralised knowledge and standardised data hampers the industry’s ability to address and capitalise on textile waste.
- It is not just a challenge for the industry, but also a massive opportunity for circularity and transparency, with efforts underway to track, reduce, and utilise waste towards better end-of-life practices.
- Waste reflects a burden on resources, inefficient processes, and unmanaged emissions, highlighting the need for action. Rising regulations are also inciting action from the industry, such as recyclers using textile waste as feedstock to displace virgin fibre production.
WHAT THEY SAID
We're excited to launch worldofwaste.co, a tool providing crucial data on global textile waste hotspots. This collaborative effort brings together key industry partners to empower recyclers and innovators with insights into waste volumes and compositions, helping turn waste into valuable resources and accelerating the shift towards a more circular and sustainable fashion industry.
— Katrin Ley
Managing Director
Fashion for Good
This initiative is the first of its kind, aiming to create a global database of textile waste availability. It will serve as a vital tool for industry stakeholders, offering both a comprehensive view and detailed insights to inform business decisions. By consolidating data, the platform will unlock opportunities to optimise sourcing and enhance the recycling ecosystem, empowering recyclers, brands, and retailers to innovate, streamline operations, and drive efficiency in textile waste management for a more sustainable industry.
— Pramit Chanda
Global Director-Textiles & Manufacturing
IDH
Access to deep data to accurately determine where and how to intervene will be the real unlock in solving the mounting issue of waste generated across fashion’s supply chain. Ultimately, we know that better informed and more cohesive efforts between actors will lead to increased (financial and non-financial) support to scale innovations, industry proactively investing to transform their supply chains, and policy creating the enablers to support the transition to an inclusive and circular fashion industry.
— Anita Chester
Head of Fashion
Laudes Foundation
