Circular economy for fashion industry: Use of waste from the food industry for the production of biotextiles
TL;DR: In this article, the use of bacterial cellulose from the probiotic drinks from kombucha, for the manufacture of biotextiles for fashion industry is discussed, and a discussion is also presented, relating the circular economy concept to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in order to understand which goals can be achieved with this approach.
Abstract: In the context of current environmental, social and economic issues, it is imperative to perform more in-depth studies on waste management and the life cycle of a product. Thus, the concept of circular economy, aimed at transforming traditional patterns of production and economic growth, is extremely important. One way to mitigate negative environmental impacts that is consistent with a circular economic system is to encourage interdisciplinarity between sectors, that is, one production sector can provide a function for waste from another. In this context, this article gathers scientific information on two sectors relevant to the global economy (textiles and food), with the aim of reusing waste from the food industry to manufacture a new textile product with added value. Specifically, the focus is on the use of bacterial cellulose from the probiotic drinks from kombucha, for the manufacture of biotextiles for fashion industry. A discussion is also presented, relating the circular economy concept to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in order to understand which goals can be achieved with this approach.
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TL;DR: The potential for advanced forms and innovations to transform complicated, natural-rich biowastes into a variety of bioproducts and bioenergy with an advanced circular economy has been demonstrated in this paper.
Abstract: The generation of bioenergy and bioproducts from biowaste streams has piqued global interest in achieving a cutting-edge circular economy. The integration of biowaste into the cutting-edge circular economy has the potential to significantly increase the production of sustainable bioproducts and bioenergy. The potential for advanced forms and innovations to transform complicated, natural-rich biowastes into a variety of bioproducts and bioenergy with an advanced circular economy has been demonstrated in this article. It is described to emphasise the critical nature of research into improving biowaste conversion into circular economies and the impact that bioeconomy has on various societal sectors. The present study examined how microbial profiles have transformed treasured bioenergy and bioproducts aspirations into mechanical bioproducts marvels discovered through cutting-edge microbial analyses of biowaste. Additionally, the article discussed contemporary experiences with the developing circular economy of biowaste as a resource for numerous bioproducts and bioenergy businesses, as well as the emanant biowaste biorefinery methods that could be used to evaluate industrial-scale maintainable financial models for updated bioproducts and other generation-related issues.
90 citations
TL;DR: The potential for advanced forms and innovations to transform complicated, natural-rich biowastes into a variety of bioproducts and bioenergy with an advanced circular economy has been demonstrated in this paper .
Abstract: The generation of bioenergy and bioproducts from biowaste streams has piqued global interest in achieving a cutting-edge circular economy. The integration of biowaste into the cutting-edge circular economy has the potential to significantly increase the production of sustainable bioproducts and bioenergy. The potential for advanced forms and innovations to transform complicated, natural-rich biowastes into a variety of bioproducts and bioenergy with an advanced circular economy has been demonstrated in this article. It is described to emphasise the critical nature of research into improving biowaste conversion into circular economies and the impact that bioeconomy has on various societal sectors. The present study examined how microbial profiles have transformed treasured bioenergy and bioproducts aspirations into mechanical bioproducts marvels discovered through cutting-edge microbial analyses of biowaste. Additionally, the article discussed contemporary experiences with the developing circular economy of biowaste as a resource for numerous bioproducts and bioenergy businesses, as well as the emanant biowaste biorefinery methods that could be used to evaluate industrial-scale maintainable financial models for updated bioproducts and other generation-related issues.
87 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors emphasized the necessity of developing a new business circular model for the fashion industry with the potential of providing plethora of economic opportunities in the framework of waste management, and proposed a clear vision and new strategy development in the fashion sector, including the involvement of customers, businesses and policy makers, driven by the promotion of circular economy through knowledge exchange, education as well as regulatory relief measures.
Abstract: Energy, food, and clothing are the three main components of humanity. Each one individually and all together contribute to climate change and CO2 emissions, to the consumption of natural resources, as well as influencing social attitude and behaviour. The global trends of the fashion industry are projected to expand in value from $1.5 trillion in 2020 to about $2.25 trillion by 2025, presenting that the fashion request is on continual growth. As natural resources (e.g., water) to produce clothes and shoes are limited nowadays, more resource-efficient production pathways must be identified; moreover, natural materials must replace plastic fibres, natural colours must replace synthetic ones, and ‘buy-and throw-way philosophy’ must turn into ‘buy-less-and-these-are-needed’ as so to reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion sector. This work emphasized the necessity of developing a new business circular model for the fashion industry with the potential of providing plethora of economic opportunities in the framework of waste management. Clear vision and new strategy development in the fashion sector is proposed, including the involvement of customers, businesses and policy makers, driven by the promotion of circular economy through knowledge exchange, education as well as regulatory relief measures for a synergic transition towards the circularity of the fashion industry.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the sustainability reports of six global players were analyzed using a comprehensive circular model of the value chain, which comprises eleven stages: product design, virgin raw material extraction and processing, textile and material production, manufacturing, auditing and certification, packaging and retail, customer use, post-consumer garment collection, recycling fibers and materials, partnerships, and transparency.
Abstract: • Fast fashion retailers develop different flavors of circularity in their value chain. • Big players in fast fashion resort to a wide range of circularity solutions. • Retailers impose stringent rules on their upstream business partners. • Fast fashion companies educate consumers to extend the lifecycle of their garments. • Environmental impact can be reduced at each stage of the fast fashion value chain. The purpose of this paper is to provide rich empirical evidence on circularity solutions adopted by the largest companies in the fast fashion industry. The sustainability reports of six global players were analyzed using a comprehensive circular model of the value chain. This model comprises eleven stages: product design, virgin raw material extraction and processing, textile and material production, manufacturing, auditing and certification, packaging and retail, customer use, post-consumer garment collection, recycling fibers and materials, partnerships, and transparency. The results are reported on five implementation phases: strategies, research and development, implementation at scale, quantitative indicators, and targets. The analysis shows that major players in this sector created a complex system for reducing their environmental impact while imposing strict rules in their upstream supply chain. Downstream, these companies educate their customers on the topic of circularity and promote recycle-or-reuse consumer habits. In addition to offering practical examples of strategy, product, and process design, the present contribution describes several configurations of circular models as implemented by large fashion retailers. The results have significant implications for theory, management, and standard-setting, considering that fast fashion is widely viewed as having a negative impact on the environment.
23 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the drivers, barriers, and practices that influence implementing circular economy concepts in the fashion industry production chain using a systematic literature review and show that some more barriers and criteria keep consumers away from circular fashion concepts than drivers.
Abstract: Circular economy (CE) principles have gained prominence in the fashion industry since it is a highly polluting industry and requires sustainable changes. Even though there are several CE initiatives already in place within the fashion production chain, changes towards CE are still slow. This study seeks to identify the drivers, barriers, and practices that influence implementing circular economy concepts in the fashion industry production chain using a systematic literature review. The results show that some more barriers and criteria keep consumers away from circular fashion concepts than drivers. These barriers include fast fashion consumer culture, even though more consumers are environmentally conscious. This is because awareness has not reached large-scale populations, despite the world being more aware of social and environmental issues. Consumers still do not see ethical and ecological problems associated with the fashion industry and continue to be targeted for large fast fashion retailers that sell a misguided version of consumerism. This study contributes to both academia and new fashion business models that seek to become more sustainable since it presents opportunities for investments and the obstacles that must be overcome for reaching CE within this sector.
21 citations
References
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TL;DR: Data analysis methods of qualitative research are proposed as strategies that enhance the rigour of combining diverse methodologies as well as empirical and theoretical sources in an integrative review.
Abstract: Aim. The aim of this paper is to distinguish the integrative review method from other review methods and to propose methodological strategies specific to the integrative review method to enhance the rigour of the process.
Background. Recent evidence-based practice initiatives have increased the need for and the production of all types of reviews of the literature (integrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and qualitative reviews). The integrative review method is the only approach that allows for the combination of diverse methodologies (for example, experimental and non-experimental research), and has the potential to play a greater role in evidence-based practice for nursing. With respect to the integrative review method, strategies to enhance data collection and extraction have been developed; however, methods of analysis, synthesis, and conclusion drawing remain poorly formulated.
Discussion. A modified framework for research reviews is presented to address issues specific to the integrative review method. Issues related to specifying the review purpose, searching the literature, evaluating data from primary sources, analysing data, and presenting the results are discussed. Data analysis methods of qualitative research are proposed as strategies that enhance the rigour of combining diverse methodologies as well as empirical and theoretical sources in an integrative review.
Conclusion. An updated integrative review method has the potential to allow for diverse primary research methods to become a greater part of evidence-based practice initiatives.
6,131 citations
TL;DR: The integrative literature review is a distinctive form of research that generates new knowledge about the topic reviewed as discussed by the authors. But little guidance is available on how to organize and write an integrative review.
Abstract: The integrative literature review is a distinctive form of research that generates new knowledge about the topic reviewed. Little guidance is available on how to write an integrative literature review. This article discusses how to organize and write an integrative literature review and cites examples of published integrative literature reviews that illustrate how this type of research has made substantive contributions to the knowledge base of human resource development.
1,930 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore three alternative environmental concepts used in transdisciplinary research, and outline some of the epistemological and practical problems that each one poses, paying particular attention to the increasingly popular concept of "circular economy" and contrasts it with the more commonly-used concepts of "environmental sciences" and "sustainable development".
Abstract: The intermeshing of disciplines from the natural sciences, social sciences, engineering and management has become essential to addressing today's environmental challenges. Yet, this can be a daunting task because experts from different disciplines may conceptualize the problems in very different ways and use vocabularies that may not be well understood by one another. This paper explores three alternative environmental concepts used in transdisciplinary research, and outlines some of the epistemological and practical problems that each one poses. It pays particular attention to the increasingly popular concept of “circular economy”, and contrasts it with the more commonly-used concepts of “environmental sciences” and “sustainable development”. In clarifying the nature, meaning and inter-relationship of these alternative concepts, the paper helps trans-disciplinary researchers to understand the opportunities and challenges associated with each one.
693 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a review of the policy framework for developing a bioeconomy in the European Union covering energy and climate, agriculture and forestry, industry and research, and estimate the current bio economy market at about € 2.4 billion including agriculture, food and beverage, agro-industrial products, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, wood-based industry, biochemical, enzymes, biopharmaceutical, biofuels and bioenergy, using about 2 billion tonnes and employing 22 million persons.
Abstract: The European Commission has set a long-term goal to develop a competitive, resource efficient and low carbon economy by 2050. Bioeconomy is expected to play an important role in the low carbon economy. This paper provides a review of the policy framework for developing a bioeconomy in the European Union covering energy and climate, agriculture and forestry, industry and research. The Europe has a number of well-established traditional bio-based industries, ranging from agriculture, food, feed, fibre and forest-based industries. This paper proposes an analysis of the current status of bioeconomy in the European Union and worldwide until 2020 and beyond. We estimate the current bio economy market at about € 2.4 billion, including agriculture, food and beverage, agro-industrial products, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, wood-based industry, biochemical, enzymes, biopharmaceutical, biofuels and bioenergy, using about 2 billion tonnes and employing 22 million persons. New sectors are emerging, such as biomaterials and green chemistry. The transition toward a bioeconomy will rely on the advancement in technology of a range of processes, on the achievement of a breakthrough in terms of technical performances and cost effectiveness and will depend on the availability of sustainable biomass.
638 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed an overarching review of national municipal waste management systems and waste-to-energy as an important part of it in the context of circular economy in selected countries in Europe.
Abstract: This paper proposes an overarching review of national municipal waste management systems and waste-to-energy as an important part of it in the context of circular economy in the selected countries in Europe. The growth of population and rising standards of living means that the consumption of goods and energy is increasing. On the one hand, consumption leads to an increase in the generation of waste. On the other hand, the correlation between increased wealth and increased energy consumption is very strong as well. Given that the average heating value of municipal solid waste (MSW) is approximately 10 MJ/kg, it seems logical to use waste as a source of energy. Traditionally, waste-to-energy (WtE) has been associated with incineration. Yet, the term is much broader, embracing various waste treatment processes generating energy (for instance, in the form of electricity and/or heat or producing a waste-derived fuel). Turning waste into energy can be one key to a circular economy enabling the value of products, materials, and resources to be maintained on the market for as long as possible, minimising waste and resource use. As the circular economy is at the top of the EU agenda, all Member States of the EU (including the EEA countries) should move away from the old-fashioned disposal of waste to a more intelligent waste treatment encompassing the circular economy approach in their waste policies. Therefore, the article examines how these EU policies are implemented in practice. Given that WtE traditionally is attached to the MSW management and organisation, the focus of this article is twofold. Firstly, it aims to identify the different practices of municipal waste management employed in selected countries and their approaches in embracing the circular economy and, secondly, the extent to which WtE technologies play any role in this context. The following countries, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK were chosen to depict a broad European context.
543 citations