The Fashion Industry’s Environmental Impact
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting sectors on Earth, producing up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Every second, the equivalent of a truckload of clothing is either incinerated or discarded in landfills.
Mexico’s Textile Waste Challenge
In Mexico, the situation mirrors this global issue. The City of Mexico generates 364 tons of textile waste daily.
Large Brands and Circular Initiatives
In response to this challenge, both large brands and local startups have launched initiatives promoting circular economy principles in the fashion sector.
H&M Mexico
Garment Collecting: H&M Mexico operates a program accepting clothing from any brand for reuse or recycling in all their stores.
C&A Mexico
ReutiliC&A: In collaboration with Recolecto MX, C&A Mexico channels used clothing to donation or industrial recycling projects.
Inditex/Zara Mexico
Zara Mexico has containers in stores collecting used clothing, regardless of brand, for donation or textile recycling to social organizations.
Mexican Startups Driving Circular Innovation
– Recolecto MX: This organization has diverted over one million kilograms of clothing from landfills through collection and channeling for donation or recycling.
– Nucycles: This startup transforms industrial textile waste into new garments, reducing water and energy consumption in production.
– Texinova: Operating as an industrial recycling center, Texinova recovers fibers for reuse in various applications.
Five Key Actions from the UN to Reduce Fashion Waste
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights five crucial actions to tackle the fashion waste crisis:
- Build a more circular industry: Reduce production volume and design durable, recyclable garments using sustainable materials.
- Improve textile recycling: Only 1% of fibers currently come from recycled materials. Infrastructure for textile collection and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) models are needed.
- Eliminate hazardous chemicals from clothing: The industry uses over 15,000 substances, many toxic and persistent. Regulating their use and opting for green chemistry is essential to protect the environment and facilitate recycling.
- Shift the narrative from “new is better”: Between 2000 and 2015, clothing production doubled while the frequency of garment use dropped by 36%. The UN encourages the industry to promote messages valuing prolonged use.
- Buy less, buy better: Prioritize quality garments, repair, reuse, rent, or exchange. If purchasing something new is necessary, choose sustainable and long-lasting brands.
Challenges: Scalability, Culture, and Regulation
Despite progress, there are still missing regulatory incentives, appropriate recycling infrastructure, and clear consumer information. In April of this year, a proposal to amend the General Law for the Prevention and Integrated Management of Waste (LGPGIR) was presented to the Chamber of Deputies.
- Include textile waste as a special management category.
- Oblige manufacturers, distributors, and importers to develop comprehensive management plans.
Although the initiative is still in committee, it paves the way for a national framework regulating clothing as a specific waste requiring particular treatment.
On June 17, the Environmental Commission of the Capital’s Congress approved a modification to the Solid Waste Law, focusing on fast fashion. This reform proposes:
- Implement collection, treatment, recycling, and reuse programs for clothing by SEDEMA.
- Establish public awareness campaigns on responsible consumption.
- Incorporate the responsibility of large generators and brands throughout a garment’s lifecycle.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the circular economy in fashion? It’s a system that aims to eliminate waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. In fashion, this means designing durable, recyclable garments and implementing efficient recycling systems.
- Why is textile waste a problem in Mexico? The City of Mexico generates 364 tons of textile waste daily, mirroring a global issue where the fashion industry produces significant pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- How are Mexican companies contributing to circular fashion? Large brands like H&M, C&A, and Zara, along with startups such as Recolecto MX, Nucycles, and Texinova, are implementing collection programs, recycling initiatives, and innovative textile transformation processes.
- What are the five key actions from the UN to reduce fashion waste? The UNEP recommends building a more circular industry, improving textile recycling, eliminating hazardous chemicals from clothing, shifting the narrative from “new is better,” and buying less but better.
- What challenges remain in implementing circular fashion? Key obstacles include the lack of regulatory incentives, insufficient recycling infrastructure, and unclear consumer information. Recent legislative proposals in Mexico aim to address these issues.
