Polymer impact of textile and apparel reuse

Reduce, reuse, recycle is a well-known mantra. Most commonly, it is thought of with reference to plastic packaging, and the battle against unsustainable consumption. But fibre, textile and apparel value chains are also under growing pressure to significantly reduce their environmental impact. Growing awareness of the cost of ‘fast fashion’ has seen big brands making commitments to sourcing recycled or other sustainably sourced materials and reducing reliance on virgin fibre. However, the issue stretches beyond simply the environmental cost of the clothes that we put on our backs.