Life Cycle Management and Circular Economy Challenges for the Textile Sector: Session Wrap Up

Abstract

This session demonstrated the added-value of applying Life Cycle Assessment to address different types of issues related to the textiles sector. Each of the four presentations in the session was based on case-studies, also highlighted the important challenges to be faced regarding methodological issues and market issues, to make LCA fully efficient for the sector. In particular, it has been demonstrated that one of the main concern for the sector is toxicity assessment, which is currently limited due to lack of data inducing weaknesses in characterisation of substances contributing to this impact. It also has been shown that in the objective of developing circular models, multiple issues must be addressed simultaneously. For example, to increase recycling of clothing unsuitable for reuse, markets must be developed at the same time that infrastructure is developed and collection mechanisms are put in place. It must also be tackled in a sustainable way, supported by Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing.