Assessing the Sustainable Circular Fashion Supply Chain as a Model for Achieving Economic Growth in the Global Market

Andrew P. Burnstine () and Raouf Ghattas
Additional contact information
Andrew P. Burnstine: Department of Fashion Management, College of Business and Management, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
Raouf Ghattas: Operations & Supply Chain Management, College of Business and Management, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: The fashion industry faces a critical sustainability crisis, contributing up to 10% of global carbon emissions and generating 92 million tons of textile waste annually. The study highlights the complex interplay of material flows, business models, power structures, and cultural mindsets, presenting a multi-scaled framework for advancing cleaner production and circularity in one of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors. This study proposes a transformative model for circular bioeconomy in fashion, integrating systems-change theory, degrowth economics, and emotional durability. Through case studies, including Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and EU policy frameworks, the paper demonstrates how circular strategies can reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and promote ethical labor practices. Notably, brands implementing take-back programs and recycled materials have diverted over 1.5 million garments from landfills and achieved up to 70% recycled content. The study critically addresses challenges such as technological solutionism, systemic greenwashing, and waste colonialism, concluding that incremental changes are insufficient. A paradigm shift in business models, consumer culture, and policy is essential for a regenerative and just fashion future.

Keywords: circular bioeconomy; sustainable fashion; UN SDGs; degrowth; systems change; greenwashing; waste colonialism; ethical design; slow fashion; emotional durability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8558/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8558/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8558-:d:1756802

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().