The fashion industry, with its globalized production chains and frantic pace of new collections, is one of the most polluting industries on the planet today. From the extraction of raw materials to waste management, every stage of a garment's lifecycle leaves a heavy environmental footprint. However, as the climate crisis becomes more urgent, a new solution seems to be emerging: the circular economy in fashion.
This concept proposes a complete rethink of how we design, produce, and consume our clothing. While the classic linear model had us extract, manufacture, consume, and discard, the circular fashion economy aims to create a virtuous cycle. But is this sustainable fashion truly within our reach? Let's explore the challenges, as well as the limitations, of this supposed miracle solution.
The rise of the circular economy in fashion
The circular economy: a response to the excesses of linear fashion
While linear fashion advocates an intensive model — extract, produce, consume, discard — the circular economy in fashion aims to rewrite the script. Instead of filling landfills with tons of discarded clothing, this model seeks to extend their life by reinventing and recycling clothes for a second chance.
The 7 pillars of the circular economy applied to fashion
To transition from a linear model to a circular fashion model, seven essential pillars are discussed. First, sustainable sourcing, because we can't perform miracles while using polluting raw materials. Then, eco-design, where every garment is created to be recyclable from the outset. We also talk about industrial ecology, minimizing waste at every stage of production, and the functionality economy, which promotes systems like clothing rental instead of ownership. On the consumer side, the emphasis is on responsible consumption and extending product lifespan. Finally, there's clothing recycling, the last chance to save a garment from the landfill.
The circular economy in fashion in action
Eco-design: designing with the end of life in mind
Eco-design means anticipating every stage of a garment's creation so that its end of life is as environmentally friendly as possible. We prioritize natural materials, renewable fabrics, and chemical-free dyes, ensuring that everything can be recycled. This approach requires both ingenuity and realism. Even with the best intentions, it's not always possible to create fully circular garments, which we’ll address later in this article.
BLUEBUCK, a brand showing the way
Since its creation 10 years ago, BLUEBUCK has aimed to reinvent fashion with durable men's underwear. Our products are made from organic cotton or recycled fibers. Our production is based in Europe, primarily in Portugal, with a strong focus on renewable energy use and reducing CO2 emissions.
We avoid seasonal collections, creating timeless pieces instead. In 10 years, we have chosen to release only three collections, minimizing excess and waste. We advocate for slow fashion, prioritizing quality, comfort, and, above all, durability.
The challenges and limitations of the circular economy in fashion
Recycling: a partial solution
Yes, clothing recycling helps reduce waste, but it’s not a miracle solution. Very few garments are fully recyclable, especially those made from mixed fibers. Moreover, the recycling process itself uses energy and resources.
This is why, even when following the ideal circular economy model, the key remains to produce less, produce better, and consume more responsibly. Recycling cannot become an excuse to continue intensive fashion production.
The role of responsible consumption and minimalism
In the context of the circular economy in fashion, minimalism plays an important role. Beyond recycling or eco-design, it’s about rethinking our relationship with fashion. No more impulsive purchases or short-lived collections. The key is to invest in durable, high-quality garments that can last through the seasons without going out of style. Because even the most eco-friendly underwear has an impact if you buy fifteen pairs a year!
The circular economy in fashion: at what cost?
In conclusion, the circular economy offers an encouraging response to the environmental challenges posed by the fashion industry, but it’s still far from being a miracle cure. Advances in eco-design, recycling, and responsible consumption are promising, but we must not overlook the existing limitations of this model.
For fashion to truly become sustainable, the entire industry must commit to real, structural changes, and there must be a collective awareness of the need to consume less but better. The challenge lies in creating a fashion sector that combines style, ethics, and sustainability without compromise.