Track: Waste Management

Abstract

The global production of textile fibers, the consumption of textiles, and the amount of textile waste are generating problems at ever-higher levels. A way to reverse this situation is the reinsertion of clothing items already used in the production chain. Thus, in the light of the circular economy, this research aims to identify and characterize practices for the management of post-consumer textile waste involving the process of collection, sorting, and reinsertion of garment items in the production chain. The methodology applied to this study involved an in-depth semi-structured interview with 11 industry experts from micro and small-sized companies (SMEs) located in the Florianopolis city (Brazil). Our intention was to analyze their current textile management waste considering the resources and the responsibilities necessary to carry out the circular textile waste management practices. It was concluded that although the business models may have emerged with sustainable principles in their foundation, waste management textiles are also strongly affected by the external environment, mainly by consumers.