Customized clothes - a sustainable solution for textile waste generated by the clothing industry

Abstract

The textile industry plays an important role in Romania's economy and its products are a necessity in people's lives, not only in the form of apparel but also in the automotive industry, construction, computers, agriculture etc., due to the expansion of their fields of use. Numerous studies have shown that this industry is, after oil, the second most polluting industry in the world. In addition to the multitude of chemicals used in the production process and a large amount of water and energy consumed, the textile industry generates considerable waste. This paper aims to identify the main sources of textile waste in Romania and it proposes the alternative of customized clothes using textile waste in order to rethink, reuse or recycle waste in the production stage. This strategy can be successfully integrated into the vertical value chain by strengthening the creation department, and clothing design and by involving the marketing and sales divisions. In the clothing industry, the strategy of integrating design and retail can lead to a more flexible design process and therefore to high product performance.