Towards A Conceptual Framework of Sustainable Practices of Post-consumer Textile Waste at Garment End of Lifecycle: A Systematic Literature Review Approach

Esther Oluwadamilola Olufemi Rotimi, Cheree Topple and John Hopkins
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Esther Oluwadamilola Olufemi Rotimi: Department of Management and Marketing, Swinburne Business School, Swinburne University of Technology, John St, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
Cheree Topple: Department of Management and Marketing, Swinburne Business School, Swinburne University of Technology, John St, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
John Hopkins: Department of Business Technology and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne Business School, Swinburne University of Technology, John St, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: Fashion is characterised by rapidly changing trends and consumption patterns which have led to complexities and dynamism of the fashion supply chain (SC). Excessive generation of wastes highlights the need for innovative ways to address unsustainable practices by feeding the waste back into the supply chain system. This paper reviews the extant literature on sustainability within the fashion industry’s supply chain to establish available sustainability practices to manage post-consumer textile waste (PCTW) at garment end of lifecycle. Four sustainable practices emerged from the review—education and engagement, recovery and redistribution, reuse, and recycling—and are central to a framework that shows the interaction of garment end of lifecycle practices and could the achievement of strategic competitive advantage. Our findings emphasise the importance for interaction and collaboration between consumers and retailers and further involvement of the entire supply chain. In addition, sustainability paradoxes were evident across the sustainable practices. To avoid this, for retailers are urged to shift towards cradle to cradle (closed loop) lifecycle supply chains. Furthermore, retailers should evaluate the practices they adopt by questioning their aim in the achievement of sustainability. We suggest that firms should consider the entire supply chain when adopting a sustainable practice and each agent’s role in achieving the overall outcome of sustained competitive advantage.

Keywords: supply chain; sustainability; fashion industry; literature review; end of lifecycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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