INEC evaluated the current economic cycle of the textile and apparel industry, pointed out the existing limitations of textile recycling, and emphasized the need to predict the availability of recycled materials from the initial design stage.

The report shows that by category:

Cotton fabric recycling technology is quite mature, but the quality of recycled fiber is not as good as that of virgin fiber, resulting in the utilization rate of recycled fiber in new clothing reaching only 20%;

Wool can be reused many times;

Polyester polymers can be converted into new fibers;

The situation of polyester fiber is special. After its recycling and conversion, it is mainly insulating material, while the main component of recycled polyester fiber clothing is plastic bottles-the entire conversion process consumes a lot of energy.

On the whole, the biggest challenge for the textile and apparel industry is the recycling of blended fabrics. The difficulty in recycling lies in the separation of many different fibers. Blended fabrics are mostly used in fast fashion brands.

INEC pointed out that it is a good choice to use sustainable fabrics from the beginning, such as using more environmentally friendly fibers such as bio-cotton, Searle fiber (eucalyptus cellulose), and flax to replace ordinary cotton, rayon and other fibers.

On the other hand, the textile and apparel industry should adopt new methods from the source of production. "It is necessary to invest heavily in research and development of recycling technology, so that recycled materials can have the same value as new materials. Design choices can greatly reduce the environmental impact of clothing and improve recycling."

At present, every time a piece of clothing is produced, 20-30% of leftovers are left, and this can be optimized through material selection. Taking the denim industry as an example, only 30% of a pair of jeans can be recycled due to design elements such as stitching and rivets. If only a single fabric is used, the entire recycling process can be simpler.

In addition, the environmental destructive power of dyes cannot be ignored. Holding the same philosophy as the international environmental protection organization "Greenpeace", INEC believes that reducing the use of toxic chemicals is a prerequisite for achieving a circular economy in the textile and apparel industry.

In the process of achieving recycling in the textile and apparel industry, manufacturers are not the only participants, and consumers must also contribute. Since 2000, the number of clothing purchased by consumers has increased significantly, and the service life of clothing has been continuously shortening. In 2015, there were 6.4 million tons of clothing in the European market.

Every year, the French market adds 9.5 kilograms of clothing, home textiles and footwear products per capita. In 2017, the potential recycling volume in France was 36% of the market circulation, that is to say, nearly 80% of the fabrics in Europe will not be recycled and reused.

In addition to appealing to consumers for rational consumption, INEC believes that alternatives can also be considered, such as customized services, clothing production, upgrades and other supporting services that clothing brands can provide. "These downstream marketing strategies can connect end customers, allow them to participate in the design of products that meet personal preferences and meet personal vision, and can also increase brand loyalty. On the other hand, it also improves the life cycle of clothing."